This is world-advising work
Careers in Meteorology
This is world-advising work
Careers in Meteorology
Meteorology at the Met Office
Operational Meteorology is one of the cornerstones of the Met Office, and one which continuously evolves so we can deliver the best results for our customers. We’re making predictions that are more accurate than ever. That’s thanks to increasing computing power, better data from our observations network and satellite programme, enhanced data assimilation techniques, and improved numerical models and algorithms.
From our observations to the science and technology that helps simulate and predict the weather forecast, our Operational Meteorology teams analyse, interpret, enhance and communicate the weather forecast and its impacts.
Working varied shifts around the clock in numerous locations, they help people, industry and governments around the world prepare for tomorrow and beyond.
From 1854 to today
A huge amount has changed since the Met Office was founded in 1854, responding to an international drive to improve knowledge and understanding of maritime meteorology.
Today, advances in technology are helping people around the world make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. Equally, our data is helping people understand the impacts of climate change and, in doing so, we are shaping the conversation around how we can respond. Using our meteorological observations and the science and technology that helps simulate and predict the weather, our Meteorologists continue to push the boundaries of forecasting to help individuals, industry and governments around the world prepare for tomorrow and beyond.
Learn more about our historyOur customers
Working within our Weather Impacts and Advice Teams, you could be supporting a wide range of customers.
Aviation
Defence
Marine
Reach
Overseas and Offshore Deployed
Industry and infrastructure
Hazards, space weather and volcanic ash
Mobile Meteorological Unit
The Met Office Mobile Met Unit (MMU) is an RAF Sponsored Reserves Unit providing critical meteorological services in support of defence operations and exercises in the UK and around the world.
The MMU consists of meteorologists and engineers who have a civilian career in the Met Office and also deploy to provide military weather services as an RAF Sponsored Reserve.
MMU Operational Meteorologists split their time between working on deployed operations and exercises as a member of the UK’s armed forces and civilian work for the Met Office within the Operational Meteorology profession.
Find out more about the Mobile Met Unit by visiting the MMU page on the Royal Air Force (RAF) recruitment site or the MMU page on the Met Office website.
Read Joe's MMU story
Meteorological Observations
Our observational data forms the basis of Operational Meteorology. If we’re to get the weather forecast as accurate as possible, those initial observations need to produce data of the highest quality. Our Observing networks and systems (on land, at sea and in space) need to be capable of accurately measuring the atmosphere in all its complexity. The Observing teams are responsible for designing, building, maintaining and monitoring these complex networks to ensure the data is of the highest quality.
This data is then fed into numerical models on our supercomputers and used by our operational meteorologists to predict the weather. There’s a variety of career opportunities within our observations area – from Research & Development who create new systems, to Observation Network Managers who oversee the operational delivery of our observing network and to Data Analysts who manage the quality of the observations data within the climate database. Meteorological Observations is essential to forecasting and climate services and roles in observations provide a different type of meteorology career opportunities.
Find out more about maintaining the networkWhat you could be doing
Aviation
We provide a range of bespoke services designed to minimise the impact of adverse weather across UK airspace. Supporting the National Air Traffic Services and Civil Aviation Authority, as well as acting as a World Area Forecast Centre and a Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre.
Defence
The Met Office provides a range of services in support of the armed forces both in the UK and overseas and on behalf of our allies. Watch this YouTube video about being a meteorologist for the RAF
Media
We provide services to TV and radio broadcasters as well as online and through our own social media channels – all helping to get the latest weather forecast out to the public.
Watch our TikTok video to find out about what it's like being a Met Office presenter
Space Weather
The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre was created to help protect the country from the serious threats posed by severe space weather events. It provides critical insight into the impact they can have on national infrastructure, technology and communications systems.
Investing in your development
A meteorological career with the Met Office offers really unique opportunities found nowhere else. Using our Professional Skills Frameworks, we’ll give you all the support and opportunities that you’d expect from a world-renowned weather and climate science and services organisation. Working at different locations, you’ll build experience with different customers and environments. Deployments overseas will provide experience of a variety of meteorological events and impacts, building your meteorological expertise in unique regions from Gibraltar to the Falkland Islands or Antarctica. We’ll encourage you to reach your full potential in your career with us. That might be operational in our Expert Weather Hub or you may move into people leadership, relationship management or product development roles. A meteorological career is different for everyone, but that’s the exciting part, the journey is yours to create.
Find out moreMeet some of our meteorologists:
Bria Grange
Civil Contingencies Advisor
Throughout my education I developed a fascination with the intersection between the human and the natural world. I'm incredibly fortunate to now work in a role that bridges this connection, helping the emergency response community to prepare and respond to severe weather and ultimately protecting lives, property and infrastructure.
Annie Shuttleworth
Presenter and Meteorologist
The training and opportunities I’ve had during my time with the Met Office so far have given me the confidence and expertise to communicate weather and climate information to the public whilst doing a job that I really love.
Ele Hands
Deputy Chief and International Meteorologist
I joined straight from university and did a year of training to be a forecaster. I spent eight years at various military bases, forecasting and observing the weather. I was part of a team which responded to a call for help from the Haitian Met Service back in 2010 after an earthquake. It was fantastic to be able to help in a time of emergency need. Now I work in the Expert Weather Hub on the global bench providing guidance to our customers and colleagues, as well as working on international projects with funding partners and other National Meteorological Services.
Rebecca Gilbert
International Meteorologist
I started my career at the Met Office with a year of training to become a meteorologist. When I wanted to forecast abroad, I was given on-the-job training at an RAF Brize Norton and RAF Lossiemouth. When I wanted to become a manager, I was given management training. When I wanted to train new weather forecasters, I was given the opportunity to complete an Award in Education and Training (AET). At the Met Office we keep learning and developing.
Robert Parish
Senior Operational Meteorologist (Mobile Met Unit)
I joined the Met Office in 2005 at the Edinburgh Climate Quality Control Department and progressed to become a Meteorological Observer. I joined the Mobile Met Unit deploying on a wide range of operations to provide weather advice to defence. I later completed forecaster training and for the last eight years, I’ve been based at Heathrow as a Senior Operational Meteorologist. The vast training has allowed me to develop my customer and meteorological knowledge along with communication, collaboration and decision-making skills.
Edinburgh Met Office