A Career In Meteorology

[Cookie]

I was looking at doing that short course as a "taster" into what studying with OU is like before committing to anything like a full on degree. Would you recommend it? I've read some reviews and people have said that particular course was more practical and useful for grasping basics into what causes different weather scenarios, so I thought it might be worth doing.

would highly recommend it

[kev f]

when i was 10 years old i wrote to micheal fish asking what qualifications were needed as i too was interested in a career in meteorology. He wrote back (i presume it was him) saying a degree in maths or physics were required.By the time i was doing my gcse's i just wanted to leave school and get a job and money. i'm 32 now and still doing the same job , which i enjoy btw , but sometimes i think back and wonder what would of been.Perhaps a little late for me now as i have the house and mortgage and a young daughter, to do a complete career change, but stick at it i say, and pursue that dream.sometimes i wish i had!

and GOOD LUCK

[ItIsGee]

would highly recommend it

#

Hi Cookie,

the OU course you did, would that help me to learn more about forecasting and model reading etc? if you are recommending it i think i would go down that route.

Thank you

Graham

[Cookie]

#

Hi Cookie,

the OU course you did, would that help me to learn more about forecasting and model reading etc? if you are recommending it i think i would go down that route.

Thank you

Graham

a wee bit on the forecasting side but not at all on the model side of things didn't mention it at all!

[Dorsetbred]

And, don't forget insurance companies now have their own inhouse people, check this out for specs on the role:

Climatologist / Meteorologist, Bournemouth

WeatherNet provides historic weather data and forecasts to industry and commerce.

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to help collate & verify incidents of severe weather; generate weather reports; provide information & forecasts by telephone & e-mail.

Potential applicants should have:

• Keen interest in / knowledge of the weather (some weather forecast knowledge desirable).
  
• Good IT / data manipulation skills
  
• Good English skills / telephone manner
  

Competitive salary & package including private health cover.

Please e-mail CV & covering letter (indicating current status)

Closing date for applications 15^th July 2007.

Developer / Data Analyst, Bournemouth, Dorset UK

WeatherNet provides weather data and forecasts to industry and commerce.

We are seeking enthusiastic individual with excellent IT skills to help write database applications to capture, analyse and present historic weather data.

Applicants should have:

• Good Database skills. Experience with Lotus Approach / SQL desirable.
  
• Knowledge of Excel Macro’s / VBA
  
• Good knowledge of the web. HTML, Java desirable.
  
• Grounding in basic statistics
  
• Some knowledge of, or interest in the weather highly desirable
  

Competitive salary & package including private health cover.

Please e-mail CV & covering letter (indicating current status)

These guys are part of Cunningham Lindsey, one of the worlds biggest loss adjusters.

Edited February 14, 2012 by Dorsetbred

[knocker]

Im doing open uni, I did the understanding weather short course and now doing an environmental studies degree

I think they had just started that course when I did my degree. The oceanography course is excellent and obviously in some ways connects to meteorology. Is this page any use to you.

http://www.rmets.org/activities/careers/index.php

[Interitus]

#

Hi Cookie,

the OU course you did, would that help me to learn more about forecasting and model reading etc? if you are recommending it i think i would go down that route.

Thank you

Graham

I wouldn't for one minute want to deter anyone from pursuing formal education as lifelong learning is invaluable, but there are ample online resources for learning these areas.

[Alex95]

How well respected is a meteorology degree outside of meteorology? Sorry if that seems like a stupid question, but I'm also considering doing a degree in engineering/physics/chemistry, and as well as being an engineer/physicist/chemist there are plenty of other jobs which you can do instead, such as accountant, actuary, banking etc, and companies like graduates from these subjects as they are good, quantitative degrees. I know meteorology involves lots of maths/physics, but do employers tend understand or respect this?

If I decide to do a degree in meteorology I'd probably end up trying persue a career in the subject, but it would be nice to know that other options are open as it seems as though there aren't that many meteorology jobs, and I don't like the idea of really restricting my options at this stage.

P.S. I'm doing AS levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, but I plan to drop biology for A2. Maths and physics are my favourite subjects, so I'm leaning towards something physics related, but I'm still totally undecided over which degree to do! :S

P.S.P.S. how competitive is the course, as in applicants per place? I should get good results overall as I'm finding most of the subjects I have chosen OK, but I really hate biology and could be looking at a B or even a C to AS level, so would this harm my chances?

Anyway, like I said I'm totally unsure about what I want to do at the moment as there are so many degrees which sound interesting so I'm just weighing up my options at the moment as I've got until the autumn to make my final decision.

Edited February 23, 2012 by Alza 2

[Alex95]

Oops, duplicate post...

Edited February 23, 2012 by Alza 2

[Nick L]

How well respected is a meteorology degree outside of meteorology? Sorry if that seems like a stupid question, but I'm also considering doing a degree in engineering/physics/chemistry, and as well as being an engineer/physicist/chemist there are plenty of other jobs which you can do instead, such as accountant, actuary, banking etc, and companies like graduates from these subjects as they are good, quantitative degrees. I know meteorology involves lots of maths/physics, but do employers tend understand or respect this?

If I decide to do a degree in meteorology I'd probably end up trying persue a career in the subject, but it would be nice to know that other options are open as it seems as though there aren't that many meteorology jobs, and I don't like the idea of really restricting my options at this stage.

P.S. I'm doing AS levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths, but I plan to drop biology for A2. Maths and physics are my favourite subjects, so I'm leaning towards something physics related, but I'm still totally undecided over which degree to do! :S

P.S.P.S. how competitive is the course, as in applicants per place? I should get good results overall as I'm finding most of the subjects I have chosen OK, but I really hate biology and could be looking at a B or even a C to AS level, so would this harm my chances?

Anyway, like I said I'm totally unsure about what I want to do at the moment as there are so many degrees which sound interesting so I'm just weighing up my options at the moment as I've got until the autumn to make my final decision.

From what I've heard within our Meteorology department, quite a few graduates do indeed go into the finance industry. Having a logical and mathematical brain is vital for a Meteorology degree and the maths is very challenging.

Competition-wise depends on what course you choose. The Oklahoma one I am on is a Masters and only allows 10 people per year. The competition for the BSc courses is less intense.

Edit: Here is the Met page at Reading on career prospects:

http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/ug/ugcareers.html

Edited February 23, 2012 by Nick L

[Isolated Frost]

As someone looking into doing physics, maths, further maths and geography at a-level, and hopefully either meteorology at Reading or environmental studies at Durham- I certainly consider a role in the finance industry if I desire so.. I have some shares and commodities and trade a little.

[Alex95]

From what I've heard within our Meteorology department, quite a few graduates do indeed go into the finance industry. Having a logical and mathematical brain is vital for a Meteorology degree and the maths is very challenging.

Competition-wise depends on what course you choose. The Oklahoma one I am on is a Masters and only allows 10 people per year. The competition for the BSc courses is less intense.

Edit: Here is the Met page at Reading on career prospects:

http://www.met.readi.../ugcareers.html

Thanks for that

The main worry I would have would be if I couldn't find any meteorology jobs, and the finance industry didn't want me either as they didn't recognize meteorology as a 'numerate discipline'. Obviously it is, but they might not realize what it is as it is quite a rare degree in the UK. Then again I know there are plenty of accountants with no degree, as well as ones with a degree in geography, history, media studies etc, so you probably don't even need a 'numerate degree'. I'm sure many would recognize it as one though

So many difficult decisions to make!

Edited February 23, 2012 by Alza 2

[Nick L]

Thanks for that

The main worry I would have would be if I couldn't find any meteorology jobs, and the finance industry didn't want me either as they didn't recognize meteorology as a 'numerate discipline'. Obviously it is, but they might not realize what it is as it is quite a rare degree in the UK. Then again I know there are plenty of accountants with no degree, as well as ones with a degree in geography, history, media studies etc, so you probably don't even need a 'numerate degree'. I'm sure many would recognize it as one though

So many difficult decisions to make!

You will have A Levels in maths-heavy subjects though

[staplehurst]

Hi,

I'm currently in between my 2nd and 3rd year at UEA doing the BSc Meteorology and Oceanography, and can highly recommend it I have loved every minute of it! I was very fortunate to be offered a placement at Weatherquest Ltd which is coincidentally also based on the UEA campus, and am currently working for them as my 'Year In Industry'.

I have received extensive training during my time here, and since November I now provide radio broadcasts to BBC Essex, Radio Suffolk, Radio Norfolk, Radio Cambridgeshire, Three Counties Radio and Radio Northampton. This is a very rare opportunity and I feel extremely lucky to have been given this placement.

I can tell trying to adjust back to Uni life and studying for my final year, commencing Sept 2013, is going to be tough!

All the best with your studies though!

[chrisbell-nottheweatherman]

Hi,

I'm currently in between my 2nd and 3rd year at UEA doing the BSc Meteorology and Oceanography, and can highly recommend it I have loved every minute of it! I was very fortunate to be offered a placement at Weatherquest Ltd which is coincidentally also based on the UEA campus, and am currently working for them as my 'Year In Industry'.

I have received extensive training during my time here, and since November I now provide radio broadcasts to BBC Essex, Radio Suffolk, Radio Norfolk, Radio Cambridgeshire, Three Counties Radio and Radio Northampton. This is a very rare opportunity and I feel extremely lucky to have been given this placement.

I can tell trying to adjust back to Uni life and studying for my final year, commencing Sept 2013, is going to be tough!

All the best with your studies though!

I'll have to listen to Radio Norfolk on the PC then! I think you might do a double-take on seeing my name, given it's the same as one of your bosses; trust me, that's nothing compared to the double-take I did when I first heard him introduced doing a Look East forecast!

[forecaster]

Thanks for that

The main worry I would have would be if I couldn't find any meteorology jobs, and the finance industry didn't want me either as they didn't recognize meteorology as a 'numerate discipline'. Obviously it is, but they might not realize what it is as it is quite a rare degree in the UK. Then again I know there are plenty of accountants with no degree, as well as ones with a degree in geography, history, media studies etc, so you probably don't even need a 'numerate degree'. I'm sure many would recognize it as one though

So many difficult decisions to make!

If you are that much in doubt then go the maths route. I don't think there would be much of a downside.

I studied Maths and Physics joint honours at Uni then went on to become a WMO Meteorologist afterwards with an extra year of study and a year of forecasting.

But the Maths/Physics route leaves a lot of potential routes open without committing you to any one path.

You should get a certain amount of freedom studying Maths beyond the first year. Provided you focussed on things like Mechanics and Fluid Dynamics you would be off to a roaring start in a future meteorology career. If you did Maths and Physics then the Thermodynamics from the latter would also be directly relevant.

Beyond those key subjects, things like Non Linear Dynamics (probably a 3rd/4th year course in Maths) will be of immense use in meteorology (because the weather is highly non linear), and also some relatively basic Probability and Statistics courses.

You can't avoid Differential Equations, so try to pick up some courses in Applied ODEs and PDEs, and it would be definitely useful to do some numerical methods.

What a ramble. In summary:

Thermodynamics

Fluid Dynamics

Mechanics

Non Linear Dynamics and Chaos

Applied ODEs and PDEs

Numerical Methods

Basic Stats/Probability stuff

This still leaves space for other interesting topics, while at the same time giving you the basis for a potential future meteorology career. It doesn't give you the practical skills, but you could learn those at a later stage (Met Offices around the world train forecasters and having the right maths background it critical - they will teach you the practical stuff).

[Nick L]

PDEs

I'm doing my PDEs module at the moment, don't have a bloody clue. ODEs I'm fine with though!

[forecaster]

PDEs

I'm doing my PDEs module at the moment, don't have a bloody clue. ODEs I'm fine with though!

TBH I've forgotten almost all of that stuff. I like to think it's back there somewhere, but if you don't use it daily it fades away to almost nothing!

[Eskimo]

I've always wanted to pursue a career in meteorology until I realised how much maths and physics was required, unfortunately both subjects are not my strongest point meaning I wasn't able to study it. However I will always continue to be passionate about the weather and it will continue to be a hobby even if I can't have it as a career choice.

[Nick L]

I've always wanted to pursue a career in meteorology until I realised how much maths and physics was required, unfortunately both subjects are not my strongest point meaning I wasn't able to study it. However I will always continue to be passionate about the weather and it will continue to be a hobby even if I can't have it as a career choice.

The amount of maths has - for me - kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the subject. I knew it was going to be intense but some of the maths is seriously tough going. And this is from someone who did Further Maths at A Level. The maths is slowly coming together now and I'm starting to understand how it links the actual weather, but if you don't like maths then DON'T do meteorology!

[Eskimo]

The amount of maths has - for me - kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the subject. I knew it was going to be intense but some of the maths is seriously tough going. And this is from someone who did Further Maths at A Level. The maths is slowly coming together now and I'm starting to understand how it links the actual weather, but if you don't like maths then DON'T do meteorology!

A wise man once told me the same thing, I steered well clear of it in the end...I didn't really want it effecting my passion for the subject so as I say, a hobby it shall remain.

[Isolated Frost]

I enjoy maths. I have to say Maths, Physics and Geography would be my specialist subjects at GCSE. A, A and A* projections in them- I was wondering whether you needed A* in Maths and Physics to be considered for meteorology Nick?

Also, I'm interested into how Geography plays into it? Is having Geography a bonus or not needed?

[BornFromTheVoid]

I enjoy maths. I have to say Maths, Physics and Geography would be my specialist subjects at GCSE. A, A and A* projections in them- I was wondering whether you needed A* in Maths and Physics to be considered for meteorology Nick?

Also, I'm interested into how Geography plays into it? Is having Geography a bonus or not needed?

Just wanted to say IF, you're so lucky, knowing what you want to do at such a young age. I think I'd just started playing drums in my mid teens, which became my focus for a number of years!

But to anyone put off by the maths, taking a more geographic approach to meteorology is probably a good option.

It's more about understanding the concepts, doing field work and learning about other aspects of the biosphere at the same time. With any science though, you're going to have a certain amount of maths and physics, but a lot less than a pure meteorology course/degree.

[Chris D]

The amount of maths has - for me - kind of dampened my enthusiasm for the subject. I knew it was going to be intense but some of the maths is seriously tough going. And this is from someone who did Further Maths at A Level. The maths is slowly coming together now and I'm starting to understand how it links the actual weather, but if you don't like maths then DON'T do meteorology!

I wouldn't advise that myself, even though I agree the maths is VERY tough, I'm not gonna lie. And this is coming from someone who didn't do a conventional Maths A-Level, (instead; Use of Maths), however I suddenly find myself doing degree-level maths, even amongst other Maths Faculty students in some cases!

It does depend on what modules you do and how much it has a maths dependence, i.e. how many maths modules are you doing and how many credits is it (weighting). So, that would depend on what degree you do and at what University.

I think the more maths the better, but don't bite off more than you can chew (so to speak; so said a lecturer lol).

Reading is the No.1 Uni for Meteorology of course, although I would rank UEA a good 2nd (haha).

But yes higher level maths isn't particularly enjoyable (not to put anyone off though).

Edited November 9, 2012 by Chris D

[Eskimo]

You have to study what you enjoy and if it isn't maths then Meteorology isn't for you. You may desire a career in meteorology but there are so many subjects within it that may put you off. You have to be keen on the weather (obviously) and also have a passion for Maths because from a career perspective you will dealing a lot with maths.