Meteorological Analyst

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Meteorological Analyst
Agricultural Careers By Dr. Frank Flanders and
Asha Wise Georgia Agricultural Education
Curriculum Office Georgia Department of
Education March 2006
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Job Duties Responsibilities

• Predict daily weather
• Monitor storm fronts and international weather
  patterns to forecast severe weather phenomena
  such as hurricanes or floods
• Monitor weather stations for data on changing
  conditions
• Use Doppler radar
• Observe air quality indicators, such as smog or
  tropospheric ozone

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Qualities and Skills

• Have an interest in weather patterns and weather
  technology
• Need to be organized, punctual and able to think
  clearly and act well under extreme pressure
• Comfortable with an irregular work schedule
• Be willing to travel at any time to observe and
  record data from any weather occurrence

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Salary

• Median annual earnings were 60,200
• Middle 50 earned between 39,970 and 76,880
• Lowest 10 earned less than 30,220
• Highest 10 earned more than 92,430
• Meteorologists in non-supervisory, supervisory,
  and managerial positions employed by the Federal
  Government earned 74,528

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Work Environment

• National Weather Service stations, which are
  found everywhereat airports, in or near cities,
  and in isolated and remote areas (U.S. Military)
• Most weather stations operate 24 hours, 7 days a
  week
• Involve night, weekend, and holiday work in
  rotating shifts
• During weather emergencies, such as hurricanes,
  operational meteorologists may work overtime

• Operational meteorologists also are often under
  pressure to meet forecast deadlines
• Weathermen and women that appear on television
  must report on extreme weather by going to the
  scene

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Education

• A bachelors degree in meteorology, atmospheric
  science, or a closely related field with courses
  in meteorology is the minimum educational
  requirement for an entry-level position as an
  atmospheric scientist.
• Computer science courses, a strong background in
  mathematics and physics, and good communication
  skills are also important.

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Career Resources
American Meteorological Society 45 Beacon
Street Boston, MA 02108-3693 Internet
http//www.ametsoc.org
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration National Weather Service 1325 East
West Highway  Silver Spring, MD 20910 Internet
http//www.nws.noaa.gov/