Meteorologist

Roles and responsibilities

Meteorologists:

• use and develop scientific techniques to forecast and interpret climatic conditions
• analyse and interpret surface, upper level and other measurements (including satellite cloud images, remote-sensing data and other information about atmospheric conditions)
• prepare weather forecasts for the public and for specific users
• issue warnings for cyclones, storms, gales, floods, frosts and fire danger
• prepare special forecasts for aviation, agriculture, fishing, shipping and national events
• study climate and identify climatic change
• work with physicists and engineers to develop observation equipment and distribute information on topics such as air pollution
• supervise and coordinate the work of other meteorologists, technical officers and meteorological observers
• carry out weather studies for particular clients

The Bureau of Meteorology is the major employer of meteorologists.

Positions are also available in private companies, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), universities and state or territory government bodies (mainly environmental agencies).

Source: myFuture

Professional requirements

Successful applicants with the Bureau of Meteorology must complete a 10 month specialised training program at the Bureau of Meteorology Training Centre in Melbourne before being posted to one of the regional or field offices throughout Australia.

Upon completion of the training graduates receive a Graduate Diploma in Meteorology.