Careers in Meteorology
Careers in Meteorology
A huge amount has changed since the Met Office was founded in 1854. 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.
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. And of course, our brilliant people who analyse, interpret, enhance and communicate the weather forecast and its impacts.
As key workers, our meteorologists work a variety of shifts with the working patterns dependant on the customer and location. Shift working patterns could involve 12-hour shifts covering both days and nights, seven days a week. Our shift rosters, usually published eight weeks ahead, mean that your working days and rest days will vary each week. Our Operational Meteorology training is second-to-none and internationally renowned.
More about joining our Foundation Operational Meteorologist training programmeJoining our Meteorology pathway, you’ll have the opportunity to join the Mobile Meteorological Unit (MMU), a Sponsored Reserve unit of the Royal Air Force. This will mean that you're available to deploy on exercises and operations across the world to provide weather and climate services. If you choose to join, you’ll go through the RAF recruitment process which has several stages including an interview, medical assessment and fitness test, all culminating in a one-day assessment at the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Cranwell.
You'll be supported by our recruitment officer, your Mobile Meteorological Unit colleagues and a mentor throughout. On completing your RAF recruitment process, you'll attend the Basic Recruits Training Course and Reserve Officer Initial Training course, where you’ll learn your military skills and put them into practice in both field and classroom environments. At the end of the training, you'll graduate on the parade square with your RAF colleagues. When you've completed all your training, you'll be ready to work as a Senior Operational Meteorologist (MMU) on operations and exercises around the world.
Read Joe's MMU storyOur 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 networkA 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.
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