Marine meteorologists study atmospheric conditions around oceans and water bodies. They work for TV networks, government agencies, and the armed forces. They prepare short- and long-term weather forecasts, track major storm systems, and provide important information during wartime. A university degree is required, and some have postgraduate courses.
A marine meteorologist studies atmospheric conditions around oceans and other bodies of water. Many of the people employed in this field work for television networks and other broadcasters, while others are employed by government agencies. Typically, a marine meteorologist must have completed a university degree, and some of those involved in the field have also taken postgraduate courses.
Colleges and other higher education establishments offer undergraduate degrees in meteorology. Students learn about weather patterns, atmospheric pressure, and the impact that atmospheric activity can have on Earth. In addition to general meteorology programs, some universities also offer courses specifically designed to prepare people to work in marine meteorology. Additionally, some colleges offer graduate degrees that cover certain components of the field, such as chemical oceanography or marine physics. People who work as broadcast weather presenters typically have general degrees in meteorology, while people who do government-funded research usually have Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in the subject.
Television stations and radio networks located in coastal regions usually employ a marine meteorologist, who is responsible for preparing short- and long-term weather forecasts. Local businessmen and tourists rely on these predictions when planning their trip or organizing outdoor events. Also, people often check the sea forecast before embarking on fishing trips or going to cost to participate in ocean activities such as sailing or windsurfing. School districts sometimes rely on local weather forecasts when making decisions about closing schools due to bad weather.
A marine meteorologist employed by a government agency prepares essentially the same type of weather forecast as a television presenter. Despite the similarity between the two functions, government officials review atmospheric data for business and political reasons, rather than providing travelers with a view of the week’s weather. Major storm systems such as hurricanes and cyclones can wreak havoc in coastal areas; government meteorologists are responsible for detecting and tracking these weather systems. Charts are drawn that detail the likely path of major storm systems and coast guard and other emergency responders evacuate coastal areas as a result of these forecasts.
The armed forces also employ marine meteorologists and these individuals provide members of the armed forces with important information during wartime. Bad weather can delay the movement of a fleet, so commanders adjust their planning to try to avoid storms. In other cases, military commanders can take advantage of cloud cover during a storm system to launch a coastal invasion.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
