Weatherlinks

Whether the weather is cold
or whether the weather is hot
We'll weather the weather
Whatever the weather
Whether we like it or not!

A typical day in a Weather Centre ...

To be a meteorologist you need to have a BSc in meteorology or a BSc or MSc in mathematics or physics with a certificate in meteorology. Meteorology is most definitely an applied science - we use our university training every minute of every shift. Lots of math, lots of spatial reasoning/pattern recognition & lots of geography. Generally the forecasts can be divided into a few general types - "aviation", "marine", and "public" are the most common with other specialties such as mountain meteorology, forestry meteorology, severe weather forecasting as well. forecasters often spend a few years dedicated to working in one particular area (that is, aviation, marine or public) before moving on to work in another area. Some forecasters get promoted to work as shift supervisors, and a few make it as "mesoscale or severe weather" forecasters. The mesoscale forecasters get to do all the exciting (and scary) severe weather forecasting. Promotion within the Canadian government is based on merit.

Work as a Forecaster
Forecasting work involves the preparation of weather charts and forecasts (of various sorts), tracking of storms, determination of weather conditions over land, sea or air, writing of forecasts, verbal briefing of specific customers, working with customers to develop new products, etc. Much of the work is done using computers.

Forecasting is done in a team environment, working rotating shifts. Forecasters work shifts which cover 24 hours of the day - that is, most shift rotations involve night shifts, early morning shifts and/or day shifts, or evening shifts.

Forecasting is a scientific process: it involves looking at data, forming scientific hypotheses of expected weather events based on that data and other guidance material, and the communication of those hypotheses (in the form of forecasts) to customers.

Personal Skills and Attributes
Having the right academic background is only the beginning. You must also have the right personal skills and attributes to succeed in a scientific/team/high pressure atmosphere:
some of the attributes include
  • Excellent written and oral communications skills
  • Versatility, team attitudes Robust physical and mental health
  • A positive response to time pressure
  • Fast, efficient, critical and analytical thought
  • Excellent customer relations skills
  • A positive attitude.

    Meteorology is a fun way to combine science and teamwork.

    Here are some weather sites that I like to look at..
  • all the webcams I can find fromcoastal B.C.
  • environment canda's weather a great place for your official canadian forecasts!
  • marine forecast links
  • UNISYS weather processor a great site for finding detailed information.
  • look no further than the 10 day prog or the ecmwf 6 day prog to see into the future
  • really cool weather software to download for your pc or mac..
  • a web based magazine ~ INTERMET ~ about and for operational meteorologists!!
  • a Weather photography some awesome lightning shots!!

    Weather Links for Teachers (and kids too)

  • Weather Definitions want to know some weather jargon??
  • In my "spare time" really enjoy going out to talk to school classes about meteorology and spent a couple of months talking to kids at Vancouver's Science World & really loved the questions the kids had!! I am also involved in a program that scienceworld administers called "Scientists and Innovators in the schools" where I go out to individual classrooms and talk to the kids. Good Fun!
  • I answer weather related questions at ask a scientist on the great canadian scientist page and on the weatheroffice.com site.
  • lots of weather questions can be answered at this WX FAQ wow!
  • El Nino ENSO stuff - what more could you ask for!
  • A good Weather Quiz See how many YOU can get right!
  • this weather dude has lots of cool links - including weather units for teachers - and even some weather songs!
  • kids web weather links from kids web.
  • Weather Here and There is a great online unit for grades 4-6 ~ lots of ways to integrate weather into all facets of life!
  • USA today has some great links for teachers too!! (And it's usually kept very current)
  • here's a unit from a teacher who has prepared an online cloudy day lesson
  • an all inclusive weather unit. Well worth checking out!

    Some Neat Weather related stuff

  • Is your understanding of weather concepts a little fuzzy?? Check out Bad Meteorology before you get incorrect information embedded in your head! It's very difficult to unlearn something that you learned in your childhood! (This guy used to be a weather forecaster with the Canadian Government right here in Vancouver. now he's a professor at Penn State!).
  • Space Shuttle landing forecasts ~~ cool or what!!
  • enough weather links here to keep me happy for life!!
  • Medical Meteorology network - find out the links between all kinds of illness and the weather!
  • need to figure something out?? check out the Weather Calculator
  • the WMO (World Meteorological Organization is the world of weather's governing body)
    Last Updated May 1999....
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