FAQs
Q. What is
meteorology?
A. Meteorology is an interdisciplinary science involving the
study of the phenomena of the atmosphere. Meteorology, as such,
applies not only to the earth, but to other planets, including the Sun
itself. It encompasses the atmosphere's constituents and
motions, its processes and influences, and also the application of
atmospheric knowledge for analysis, prediction and control,
with regard to practical problems in business, industry, transport and
communication, telecommunications, health, agriculture
and defence.
Q. What kind of personality traits should
I have to be successful in the field?
A. Meteorologists
must be responsible, accurate and perceptive, with an analytical bent of mind, and
interest in
science, and the ability to work in a team.
IT
Perspective
The old complex looking, time involving and big instruments are out. The
'micro' has become the talk of all careers. The more
micro you become, the more hi-tech you are! This has been possible through
nothing but information technology influencing
all aspects of our lives today.
Certainly, then , to
be aware of the happenings and keep things under control you must be well aquainted with
the operations
of a computer system. Leave aside these basics, you must go ahead and learn
report-generation softwares for example,
Oracle (an RDBMS package) in combination with Developer 2K for successful
execution of assigned tasks.
Do find out about
some state - of -the- art technological details pertaining to your field on the net as
well.
Your
Training
Training is offered to meteorologists mostly at the postgraduate level, and
therefore a B. Sc. preferably in physics or
mathematics is essential.
The Andhra
University offers an M. Sc. in oceanography and meteorology to science graduates.
Cochin University of
Science and Technology offers an M. Sc. in meteorology to science graduates.
Bharathiya
University in Coimbatore offers a one-year diploma course in meteorology.
Punjab University in
Patiala also offers a one year diploma course in meteorology.
The Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD) offers on-the-job training to meteorologists, at three
different levels : Basic level
(one year training), Intermediate level (six months) and at an advanced
level, for a year, depending on the post of the
employee.
The IMD also has
various courses in agricultural meteorology, at Pune.
Your Personality Traits
A meteorologists must be responsible, accurate and perceptive, with an
analytical bent of mind, an interest in science, and
the ability to work in a team.
Are You Eligible?
Meteorologists can find employment in weather bureaus, airlines, and in
colleges. They can also conduct research.
As mentioned
earlier, the IMD directly recruits graduates in physics, as Senior Observers.
Professional
Assistants are recruited through the UPSC, and some are also promoted from the post of
Senior Observers.
The IMD also hires
meteorologists at the post of 'Meteorologists Grade 2' through the UPSC. They also have to
undergo one
year's pre-service training at Pune, where they are paid a stipend besides a
book allowance.
The meteorologists
at the IMD are usually promoted every five years.
Your Preparation
Although meteorology is all about weather, admission to the study courses for
this career require you to be a science
graduate i.e. at the plus two level you must have physics, chemistry and
mathematics.
Your Institutes
Andhra University Waltair - 530 003 Andhra Pradesh -------------- M. Sc.
(Oceanography & Meteorology); B. Sc. Exam.
Cochin University of
Science & Technology, Cochin University, P.O. : Cochin 682022 Kerala ---------------- M.
Sc.
(Meteorology); B. Sc. Degree.
Punjab University Patiala 147002 Punjab
------------------------- 1 year Diploma in Meteorology.
Bharathiyan
University Maruthamalai Road,
Coimbatore 641046 Tamil Nadu --------- 1 Year Diploma in Meteorology.
Your Responsibilities
A meteorologist studies weather conditions, forecasts the changes in weather,
analyses weather maps covering large
geographical areas and related charts,calculates precipitation, cloud cover,
airways and flying
conditions. Tremendous amount of research work is also performed by
meteorologists.
Besides research
work, various other tasks are also performed by meteorologists.
AGRICULTURE :
In the field of agriculture, meteorologists help the agriculturists in planning their
activities. 'Farmers'
Weather Bulletins' are issued by the meteorological centres at various state
capitals. In addition to the agrometeorological
advisory services provided in Pune, agrometeorological advisory services have
been launched in other states as well.
Meteorologists prepare detailed advisory giving specific advice on what
action the farmer should take. Moreover, forecast of
rainfall over the entire country for the coming week is supplied by the IMD
to the agriculture Ministry, for planning.
SHIPPING :
The IMD issues weather warnings to the ships on the high seas and in ports.During
undisturbed weather
conditions, two bulletins are broadcast, and in disturbed atmosphere,
including its chemical composition and electrical and
optical properties.
INDUSTRIAL : Meteorologists work on such problems as smoke control and
air pollution.
AGRICULTURAL
: Meteorologists provide weather bulletins for farmers, crop yield forecasts and
agrometeorological
advisories.
Your Working Conditions
Meteorologists are usually criticized by the public and the media, if their
forecast is not accurate. In spite of the progress in
communications and computer sciences, meteorologists are still unable to
predict the weather very accurately.
Meteorologists work
mostly with the government, especially in the Indian Meteorological Department. The IMD
takes
graduates in physics, at the lowest level, as Senior Observers.
Postgraduates could
also join as Professional Assistants.However, they can enter only after qualifying the
UPSC examination
and interview. The UPSC also recruits 'Meteorologists Grade2' for the IMD.
Your Future Prospects
Future prospects for meteorologists are very favourable, due to the growing
need for more information about the atmosphere.
Owing to the increase in the speed of aircraft, and the corresponding need
for more information, the demand for
meteorologists in the various airlines in increasing. Also, since weather
information is receiving more recognition, private
meteorological firms are expected to employee more meteorologists. The scope
for meteorologists who wish to teach in
colleges and conduct research is also increasing.
Your Remuneration
Most meteorologists begin with salaries between Rs. 6500 to Rs. 8,000.
After training and a couple of years of experience,
the salaries rse significantly and prospects for growth ger brighter.
Related Occupations
Suggested
Readings
Meteorology Today : An Introduction to Weather, Climate and the Environment by Donald D. Ahrens.
An
Instant Guide to Weather : A Guide to Recognizing Different Weather Phenomena
by Und.
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