What Does a Meteorologist Do?
Meteorologists study weather conditions and forecast weather changes. They are responsible for recording and analyzing data, studying and interpreting observations, and then providing the public with reports on their findings. A meteorologist is employed by a private organization, such as airlines and shipping companies, or government agencies. Some may also be assigned to weather stations or complete research while teaching in colleges.
A meteorologist should have a deep interest and curiosity towards the nature of the world around us, as well as excellent analytical skills to interpret weather conditions. Patience is an important attribute for meteorologists, as they will spend long hours gathering and researching findings. Meteorologists need to be able to work well within a team and be willing to innovate by improving weather prediction models and staying up-to-date with new technological developments.
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National Average Salary
Meteorologist salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for a Meteorologist is:
$71,280
Meteorologist Job Descriptions
It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a meteorologist. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.
Example 1
ABC Company is looking a dynamic & engaging meteorologist for weekend mornings and regular on-air work 3 days a week. The candidate also engages on our digital platforms for the First Alert Weather team.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Analyze raw scientific data, models, and other available and relevant information to create an accurate weather forecast for our viewing area
- Create a compelling, conversational presentation of weather forecast for broadcast, streaming, digital, and social media audiences
- Accurately forecast and track severe weather
- Communicate with news staff to inform editorial decision-making
Qualifications/requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in meteorology, atmospheric science, or related field AMS seal preferred
- 2+ years of experience as a broadcast meteorologist required
- Demonstrated mastery of digital and social media strategy
- Excellent time management skills and an ability to prioritize tasks and information under pressure are required
- Must be able to work independently and as part of a team
- Must have scheduling flexibility
Example 2
ABC Company is seeking a morning Meteorologist! You will present the weather forecast for the weekday morning news. As a Meteorologist, you will be responsible for the content of the weather cast on-air and on our digital platforms.
Job duties:
- Issue warnings and alerts, produce graphics and maps, and report live during weather events
- Must have the ability to utilize social media during severe weather, as well as write weather stories
- Must produce and present clear and concise weather casts, which tell a story and connect with viewers
- Develop content and graphics for on-air, web and social media
- Make public appearances on behalf of the station
- Work with producers to determine relevant weather content in breaking and everyday situations
- Doing live shots and reporting from community events and in breaking news
Qualifications:
- Sharp news judgment, strong writing and excellent storytelling skills, and the ability to work well with others
- Ability to demonstrate experience with active and visual live shots
- You will be expected to produce content on a variety of platforms including the Internet, social networking sites, and mobile phones, in addition to television
- Must have excellent time management skills
- Previous on-air experience presenting weather and news information is required
Example 3
XYZ News Center, the powerhouse #1 ABC Company owned station in beautiful downtown Portland is looking for a fulltime weekend Meteorologist.
The right candidate is an authentic, creative on-air presenter, who has a passion for weather and enjoys connecting with viewers on air and on line. We are looking for someone with a deep passion for the science of weather. We live and die by it in Maine. Our top industries are tourism, seafood and agriculture; each deeply dependent on day-to-day weather and climate over the long term.
Responsibilities
- You should be self-motivated,
- a team player,
- and someone who takes pride in delivering smart, engaging daily forecasts and weather reports across all platforms.
- A successful candidate must also have the skills to report LIVE from hurricanes, nor’easters, ice storms and all other severe weather events.
Requirements
- A degree in the field of meteorology/atmospheric sciences and have or be working toward your CBM a must
- Active on several Social Media channels: Twitter, FB, Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat a must
- Knowledge of WSI, ENPS, Edius, and Axis graphics a plus
- Experience with videography, editing, and web content management systems a plus
- Travel: Rarely: less than 10%
- Work Environment Set: Office: normally performed in a typical interior/office environment
- Physical Demands Set: Light work: Involves sitting most of the time, walking, lifting, bending, standing, etc.
Sample Interview Questions
- When did you know you wanted to be a meteorologist?
- In what ways do you keep track of climate and weather changes?
- Is there any software you have used to model and forecast the weather?
- To make accurate weather forecasts, how do you analyze and interpret data from weather instruments and satellites?
- What was the most challenging weather event you had to forecast, and how did you handle it?
- What methods do you use to communicate weather forecasts and warnings clearly and easily?
- What is your approach to coordinating response efforts during severe weather events with emergency responders?
- Have you ever conducted climate research or analyzed climate data?
- Do you follow any specific ethical guidelines and standards in your work as a meteorologist?
- Could you talk about your approach to self-care and managing stress in your job as a meteorologist?
