This is world-advising work
Careers in Meteorology
This is world-advising work
Careers in Meteorology
Meteorology at the Met Office
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
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 programmeOur 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
Joining 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 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.
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 the team
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.
Helen Roberts
Socio Meteorologist
As a Socio-Meteorologist I am interested in communication that encourages behavioural response, with a particular focus on equipping people to prepare for and respond to extreme and impactful weather that is being exacerbated by our changing climate. I am now doing a PhD part-time with Bath University's psychology department, to research decision-making in the UK weather warning process and the Met Office is supporting me to do that, which is amazing.
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.
Martin Baumber
Foundation Operational Meteorologist
In my opinion, the Met Office is the best place to advance a career in meteorology. I’ve really valued all the support, learning and development opportunities which have brought out the best in me, and helped me to reach my full potential. Read my story
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.
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.
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