A meteorologist is an individual with specialized education who uses scientific principles to explain, understand, observe or forecast the earth’s atmospheric phenomena and/or how the atmosphere affects the earth and life on the planet.
This specialized education would be a bachelor’s or higher degree in meteorology or an atmospheric science. Individuals who have little formal education in the atmospheric sciences, or who have taken only industry survey courses, and who disseminate weather information and forecasts prepared by others, are properly designated weather casters.
Where To Study Meteorology In South Africa?
BSc Meteorology University of Pretoria
What Are Types of Meteorologists?
Meteorologist work in a range of fields each with a specialized area of study. Essentially, a meteorologist is a specialized scientist that focuses on some aspect of the atmosphere. The following list shows just some of the types of meteorologists.
Broadcast Meteorologists: These folks are the people who interpret and report the weather for television.
Research Meteorologists: Many of these scientists work for the National Weather Service or other government agency. NASA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the military. Most have a particular issue they are studying.
Teachers and Professors: Many people use their knowledge of the atmosphere and meteorology to become educators. Sharing your knowledge at a high school or college level can help to create future generations of meteorologists.
Forensic Meteorologists: This type of meteorologist will often investigate claims for insurance companies on past weather or research weather for a court of law.
Consulting Meteorologists: Large companies now hire meteorologists for consultation work. Companies such as Liz Claiborne, M&M Candies, and Target all hire meteorologists to improve their buying and selling power.
Climate Meteorologists: This type of meteorologist looks at long-term weather patterns and data to help predict future climate trends and past climate data.
Archive Meteorologists: Many weather scientists will also be in charge of researching, verifying, and reporting on storms of the past.
Who Is A Meteorological Technician?
Meteorological technicians are responsible for the collection of meteorological information. Their work includes the rendering of meteorological advisory services, the operating and maintenance of a weather observation network throughout the whole of South Africa, and research and training.
Except for a few specialists, technicians render almost all of the climatological services at the Weather Bureau. Before any meteorological forecast can be made, the technician must collect a large amount of meteorological information.
Observations are made of different elements such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, visibility and clouds. Various aids such as computers, radar and automatic weather stations are used to make these observations. Meteorological instrument technicians are responsible for the maintenance of this apparatus.
After a meteorological technician has checked all the information, it is sent to the most important weather offices with the use of meteorological codes. Sometimes observations are sent directly to air navigation and marine offices. Weather offices at all the major airports are manned by meteorological technicians who provide more than 300 flight forecasts daily to air navigation.
Forecasts are also provided to agriculture, industry and the general public. Records are kept of all observations and added to a computerized data bank.
Meteorological technicians may work in weather stations at airports or at stations in isolated areas.
They work shifts and some weather offices are open for 24 hours every day. Meteorological instrument technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance and development of electronic and sophisticated equipment such as electronic airport systems and weather radar.
What Are The Requirements Of A Meteorologist?
A meteorologist should:
– be curious and imaginative;
– be able to communicate clearly in both speech and writing;
– have good judgement;
– be responsible;
– be able to concentrate well, even under stress;
– have a mathematical and scientific aptitude.
School Subjects Needed To Study Meteorology In South Africa?
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Geography, Life Sciences
Training;
Degree: BSc with appropriate subjects – most universities. The course, Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology can be taken at UP, Soil-, Crop- and Climate Sciences – UFS
Practical training: candidates must undergo practical training under the supervision of a senior officer at the Weather Bureau. Training consists of weather observation, operating meteorological instruments and weather forecasting.
Post-graduate study: BSc Honours degree with Applied Mathematics, Mathematics, Physics or Mathematical Statistics is required to become a professional meteorologist.
What Are Meteorologist Employment Opportunities In South Africa?
– Weather Bureau,
– Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism
– weather stations all over South Africa
– Department of Agriculture
– CSIR
– universities
– forecast offices of airports and air force stations
Which Other Places Can A Meteorologist Work?
Meteorologist can work in many areas:
- Forecaster
The Central Forecasting Office in Pretoria gets weather information from around the world. The Forecaster then studies this data. From that, they predict the weather for that region.
- Broadcaster
Broadcasters analyse the weather patterns then report on the weather for television, radio etc.
- Researcher
Researchers study weather patterns for national weather bureaus, government and environmental protection agencies.
- Climatologist
A Climatologist works for The Weather Bureau and collects and stores all the data in an effective databank. Seasonal studies on climate change have become increasingly important. This service is provided by the Weather Bureau and some other organisations.
- Teachers / Professors
Some meteorologists teach students to be meteorologists by imparting their experience and skills. A few academic positions are available for meteorologists at universities.
- Forensic Meteorologist
Investigate claims for insurance companies basing their information on past weather patterns. This will be used to assess the impact on the business.
- Consultant
Consultants advise companies on weather conditions so that the business concerned are able increase productivity by developing products to suit these conditions.
- Archive Meteorologist
They research, study and verify data and report on storms of the past.