A chief meteorologist oversees weather forecasting for media outlets, government agencies, or other organizations. They require an advanced degree in meteorology and experience in weather forecasting. The job includes reviewing weather information, making forecasts, and providing broadcast information to customers. They may also supervise other team members and attend conferences to build professional connections.
A chief meteorologist oversees weather forecasting activities for an employer, such as a media outlet, government agency, or other organization interested in weather conditions. This usually requires an advanced degree in meteorology, as well as experience in weather forecasting and related tasks. It may help to belong to professional organizations of meteorologists and to have a history of publishing credits and other professional accomplishments. Employers may prefer candidates with excellent records for senior positions and, in some cases, recruit from within to promote a meteorologist from existing staff who is familiar with the organization’s standards and practices.
This position is especially common in media agencies, where a chief meteorologist is kept on staff to provide regular weather forecasts and updates to the public. The job includes reviewing weather information, making forecasts and providing broadcast information to customers. This may include live presentations with graphics on television, which may involve working with another presenter on a large station. Lead meteorologists may also supervise other team members who may work on tasks such as administrative support, some broadcasts, and forecast development.
In government agencies and other organizations with weather forecasting needs to plan activities, the chief meteorologist mainly focuses on preparing internal reports for the organization. This may include short- and long-term forecasts, discussion of weather trends, and analysis of major weather events. For an organization like an airline, for example, the chief meteorologist can help with severe weather planning to help planes stay on schedule and ground aircraft when it is no longer appropriate to fly.
Some organizations may release reports from a chief meteorologist for the benefit of subscribing members or the public. For example, insurance agencies that offer agricultural insurance products can provide internal reporting so their policyholders are aware of upcoming weather issues. Similarly, government agencies may have a public responsibility to publish weather information, warnings and advice. The chief meteorologist may not personally prepare all of these publications, but he does supervise the staff involved in their development and distribution.
Depending on where someone works, the job may require a mix of good communication skills for members of the general public who may not understand advanced science, as well as a thorough grounding in climate topics. A chief meteorologist also supervises other team members and needs good management and people skills to keep people running smoothly. Work can include attending conferences to build professional connections, exchange information about the profession and learn about new trends.
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