Atmospheric Scientists
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In the career as atmospheric scientist, they study the atmospheric physical characteristics, motions, and processes and the ways in which these factors affect the environment. Mostly, the atmospheric scientist job involves forecasting of weather. In addition to it, they also try to find and interpret climate trends, understand past weather and analyze current weather.
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Tasks:-
In the career as atmospheric scientist, the tasks depend upon the specialty they choose.
- Operational Meteorologists are those atmospheric scientists who forecast the weather. These scientists are needed in larger numbers than other atmospheric scientists. They study the earth's air pressure, humidity, temperature, and the wind velocity and then apply physical and mathematical relationships to forecast weather for short-term and long-term.
Some of the atmospheric scientists work in research.
- Physical Meteorologists study the chemical and physical properties of atmosphere, the transmission of light, sound, and radio waves, and the transfer of energy in the atmosphere. They also study the factors that affect the formation of clouds, rain and snow, and the dispersal of air pollutants and other weather phenomena like the mechanics of severe storm.
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- Synoptic meteorologists develop new tools for forecasting of weather and make use of computers and new mathematical models of atmospheric activity.
- Climatologists study variations in seasons and weather over months, years, or even centuries. These scientists' job is to collect, analyze, and interpret past records of wind, rainfall, sunshine, and temperature in specific area or regions.
- Environmental meteorologists study environmental problems like pollution, shortage of fresh water, and many more. They then check and report on quality of air for making statements on environmental impact.
- Other research meteorologists study the ways to control and diminish the air pollution.
Qualifications:-
To get into a career as atmospheric scientist, at least a bachelor's degree in meteorology or atmospheric science is needed. Any courses related to meteorology is also enough to become atmospheric scientist. However a master's degree is necessary for some positions for meteorologists, and a Ph.D. degree for related jobs.
In a Federal Government, entry level meteorologists should have a bachelor's degree in meteorology or related subjects, with at least 24 semester hours of meteorology/atmospheric sciences, including 6 hours analysis and interpretation of weather systems,6 hours of atmospheric dynamics, 3 hours of physical meteorology and 2 hours of constant sensing of atmosphere or instrumentation. Students should also have a strong knowledge of physics and mathematics.
Other necessary Skills:-
To get into a career as atmospheric scientist, a person should have following skills:-
- Communication skills
- Computer skills
- Strong analytical skills and quick information gathering as lot of research work has to be done for weather forecasters.
Work place:-
Weather stations are present at airports, in or near cities, and in isolated and remote areas. In the career as atmospheric scientist their job involves observation of weather and collection of data from aircraft. Weather forecasters for radio or television stations broadcast their weather reports in the studios and may have to work for long hours and also for weekends. Meteorologists working in small offices work alone, but those in larger offices work as a team. Most of the meteorologists may also work for private consulting firms or for companies to analyze and check the air quality. They usually work with scientists and engineers, hence fieldwork and travel is common for these scientists. Others who are not involved in weather forecasting, work for regular hours in offices.
Remuneration:-
In the career as atmospheric scientist, the average annual salary is good as compared to other occupations. The salary also depends on the type of work, employer, and the years of experience. The average annual salary for the atmospheric scientists working in Federal government is higher than the salary given by other employers.
Job Opportunities:-
Farmers, commodity investors, utilities, insurance companies, and transportation and construction firms mostly need the weather information, so the scope for atmospheric scientist work is more, so that they can provide weather information. Most of them work in Federal and state government.
The occupations related to a career as atmospheric scientist are as follows:-
- Environmental scientists and geoscientists
- Mathematicians
- Physicists and astronomers
- Civil, chemical, and environmental engineers.
Job Progress:-
Entry level meteorologists in federal government are usually kept as interns for training and experience. After completing the training period, they are assigned a 1.permanent duty station.
The atmospheric scientists with years of experience may become 2.supervisors or go for administrative work or can handle more complex jobs in forecasting. Some may even set up their own 3.weather consulting services.
Employment:-
In the career as atmospheric scientist, most of the jobs are available in Federal Government.
Employment change:-
The career in this filed is expected to expand generating more employment. Farmers, commodity investors, utilities, insurance companies, and transportation and construction firms mostly need the weather information provided by National weather Service beneficial for their occupation. So the demand for weather forecasters will be increasing. The career as atmospheric scientists will be in demand as the need to study and check air pollutants to protect the environment is increasing in the recent times