Science & ResearchISCO 2112
Meteorologist
Meteorologists study climate processes, measure and predict weather patterns and provide consultancy services to a variety of weather information users. They work out models for weather forecasting, develop instruments to collect meteorological data and compile statistics and databases.
Check yourself in a minute: meteorologist
Rate 5 of the 38 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
manage research data
use specialised computer models for weather forecasting
interact professionally in research and professional environments
disseminate results to the scientific community
operate open source software
About meteorologist
As a meteorologist, you investigate the complex processes governing Earth's atmosphere, weather systems, and climate patterns to advance scientific knowledge and provide critical information to society. Your work involves conducting scientific research, developing sophisticated mathematical and computational models for weather forecasting, and operating specialized instruments to collect meteorological data from the atmosphere. You execute detailed analytical calculations, apply advanced statistical analysis techniques to datasets, and compile comprehensive statistics and databases that inform climate and weather understanding. Beyond the laboratory and research center, you disseminate your findings to the scientific community through peer-reviewed publications and technical documentation, contributing to the collective knowledge base of meteorological science. You interact professionally within research and academic environments, collaborate with international colleagues, and increasingly work to increase the impact of your research on policy and societal decision-making. This role offers excellent prospects as climate change drives unprecedented demand for meteorological expertise in climate adaptation, disaster prediction, and environmental management.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a meteorologist.
1
Scientific Research and Data Collection
- Conduct comprehensive scientific research on meteorological phenomena, weather systems, and climate processes
- Design and execute field experiments to collect meteorological data using specialized instruments and equipment
- Manage research data systematically including acquisition, validation, processing, and quality control
- Compile comprehensive meteorological databases and statistical compilations for analysis and archiving
2
Weather Forecasting and Modeling
- Develop and refine sophisticated computer models for weather forecasting using advanced mathematical algorithms
- Use specialized computer models and software to simulate atmospheric processes and predict weather patterns
- Review and interpret meteorological forecast data to ensure accuracy and identify potential improvements
- Apply meteorological tools and techniques to forecast meteorological conditions for various applications
3
Analytical Methods and Mathematical Analysis
- Execute advanced analytical mathematical calculations on meteorological datasets using specialized software
- Apply rigorous statistical analysis techniques to examine weather and climate data for significant patterns and trends
- Develop and employ mathematical models to understand complex atmospheric phenomena and climate dynamics
- Demonstrate disciplinary expertise in mathematics, meteorology, and climatology through rigorous analysis
4
Scientific Communication and Dissemination
- Draft scientific and academic papers, technical documentation, and research reports for peer-reviewed publication
- Disseminate research findings and results to the scientific community through conferences and publications
- Interact professionally in research and academic environments to collaborate and exchange knowledge
- Increase the impact of meteorological science on policy and society through effective science communication
5
Research Management and Evaluation
- Evaluate research activities and outcomes to ensure quality, relevance, and advancement of meteorological science
- Apply for research funding and grants to support ongoing and new meteorological research initiatives
- Manage findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) meteorological data according to research standards
- Speak multiple languages to collaborate with international research teams and disseminate findings globally
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (38)
mathematicsmathematicsMathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to pr...meteorologymeteorologyThe scientific field of study that examines the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and atmospheric effects on our weather.climatologyclimatologyThe scientific field of study that deals with researching average weather conditions over a specified period of time and how they affected nature on Earth.draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationdraft scientific or academic papers and technical documentationDraft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.manage research datamanage research dataProduce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be fami...use specialised computer models for weather forecastinguse specialised computer models for weather forecastingMake short-term and long-term weather forecasts applying physical and mathematical formulae; understand specialised computer modelling applications.interact professionally in research and professional environmentsinteract professionally in research and professional environmentsShow consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.disseminate results to the scientific communitydisseminate results to the scientific communityPublicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.operate open source softwareoperate open source softwareOperate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditionsuse meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditionsUse meteorological data and tools such as weather facsimile machines, weather charts and computer terminals, to anticipate weather conditions.execute analytical mathematical calculationsexecute analytical mathematical calculationsApply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.apply statistical analysis techniquesapply statistical analysis techniquesUse models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.evaluate research activitiesevaluate research activitiesReview proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.demonstrate disciplinary expertisedemonstrate disciplinary expertiseDemonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, re...increase the impact of science on policy and societyincrease the impact of science on policy and societyInfluence evidence-informed policy and decision making by providing scientific input to and maintaining professional relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders.manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable datamanage findable accessible interoperable and reusable dataProduce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessar...perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.review meteorological forecast datareview meteorological forecast dataRevise estimated meteorological parameters. Solve gaps between real-time conditions and estimated conditions.apply for research fundingapply for research fundingIdentify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant application in order to obtain funds and grants. Write research proposals.apply scientific methodsapply scientific methodsApply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesapply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activitiesApply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsi...promote open innovation in researchpromote open innovation in researchApply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.publish academic researchpublish academic researchConduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achiev...promote the transfer of knowledgepromote the transfer of knowledgeDeploy broad awareness of processes of knowledge valorisation aimed to maximise the two–way flow of technology, intellectual property, expertise and capability between the research base and industry o...think abstractlythink abstractlyDemonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences.mentor individualsmentor individualsMentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to the individual to help them in their personal development, as well as adapting the support to the specific n...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...analyse weather forecastanalyse weather forecastAnalyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maint...write scientific publicationswrite scientific publicationsPresent the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.carry out meteorological researchcarry out meteorological researchParticipate in research activities on weather-related conditions and phenomena. Study the physical and chemical characteristics and processes of the atmosphere.develop professional network with researchers and scientistsdevelop professional network with researchers and scientistsDevelop alliances, contacts or partnerships, and exchange information with others. Foster integrated and open collaborations where different stakeholders co-create shared value research and innovation...integrate gender dimension in researchintegrate gender dimension in researchTake into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...manage open publicationsmanage open publicationsBe familiar with Open Publication strategies, with the use of information technology to support research, and with the development and management of CRIS (current research information systems) and ins...synthesise informationsynthesise informationCritically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.conduct research across disciplinesconduct research across disciplinesWork and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.communicate with a non-scientific audiencecommunicate with a non-scientific audienceCommunicate about scientific findings to a non-scientific audience, including the general public. Tailor the communication of scientific concepts, debates, findings to the audience, using a variety of...
Optional (24) — show
mathematical modellingmathematical modellingThe process of establishing a mathematical representation problem, such as equations, of a real-word to provide insights, discover new features about the problematic scenario, better understand the or...geographic information systemsgeographic information systemsThe tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).quantitative analysisquantitative analysisThe technique of employing statistical and mathematical modelling and measurement to represent a specific reality through numbers.hydrologyhydrologyThe study of the water concerning the availability and movement of water as well as the impact of human activities on the water cycle.oceanographyoceanographyThe scientific discipline that studies oceanic phenomena such as marine organisms, plate tectonics, and the geology of the ocean bottom.statisticsstatisticsThe study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of ...geographygeographyThe scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the soc...scientific research methodologyscientific research methodologyThe theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.operate remote sensing equipmentoperate remote sensing equipmentSet up and operate remote sensing equipment such as radars, telescopes, and aerial cameras in order to obtain information about Earth's surface and atmosphere.collect weather-related datacollect weather-related dataGather data from satellites, radars, remote sensors, and weather stations in order to obtain information about weather conditions and phenomena.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).conduct research on climate processesconduct research on climate processesConduct research on the characteristic events occurring in the atmosphere during the interactions and transformations of various atmospheric components and conditions.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.operate meteorological instrumentsoperate meteorological instrumentsOperate equipment for measuring weather conditions, such as thermometers, anemometers, and rain gauges.manage meteorological databasemanage meteorological databaseDevelop and maintain meteorological databases. Add information after each new observation.study aerial photosstudy aerial photosUse aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth's surface.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.assist scientific researchassist scientific researchAssist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.create weather mapscreate weather mapsMake graphic weather maps for specific areas containing information such as temperature, air pressure, and rain belts.write weather briefingwrite weather briefingPresent various information such as air pressure, temperature and humidity to customers in the form of a weather brief.design graphicsdesign graphicsApply a variety of visual techniques in order to design graphic material. Combine graphical elements to communicate concepts and ideas.design scientific equipmentdesign scientific equipmentDesign new equipment or adapt existing equipment to aid scientists in gathering and analysing data and samples.present during live broadcastspresent during live broadcastsPresent live on political, economic, cultural, social, international or sport events, or host a live broadcast program.calibrate electronic instrumentscalibrate electronic instrumentsCorrect and adjust the reliability of an electronic instrument by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular i...
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Frequently asked questions
What does a meteorologist do?
Meteorologists study climate processes, measure and predict weather patterns and provide consultancy services to a variety of weather information users. They work out models for weather forecasting, develop instruments to collect meteorological data and compile statistics and databases.
What skills does a meteorologist need?
A meteorologist needs 38 essential skills, including mathematics, meteorology, climatology, draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation, manage research data.
Will AI replace meteorologist jobs?
The AI disruption score for meteorologist is 68/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: collect weather-related data, operate meteorological instruments, manage meteorological database. Most resilient: mentor individuals, interact professionally in research and professional environments, develop professional network with researchers and scientists.
AI Replacement Risk
68/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
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