Why don't most meteorologists like weather? It makes no sense to me...?

Question

I understand the general public not liking it. But meteorologists?

By the way, my question asks why they do NOT like weather... not why they do. If they did, it would make perfect sense to me. First answerer... you must have read it wrong.

Answer 1

I really don't know any that don't like the weather. And being in this profession, I have met many meteorologist through the years. However, the profession has changed a lot in just the past 5 years when compared to the almost 20 years I’ve been in this business as a meteorologist.

The job can be very demanding and very stressful. Plus missing a forecast may result in somebody's life. Many in the operational forecasting field are required to work rotating shifts. In other words, they will work a day shift one week, then will switch to evening shift the following week, then a week of midnight shifts 7 day later. Imagine going through something like jet lag every week for the rest of your career.
They will continue to rotate like this to stay certified as a operational meteorologist.

Other job stress comes from the public who seems rarely ever to say good things when your forecast is correct which is most, which is most of the time. But, some in the public will quickly say nasty things on the lesser times when you do miss the forecast.

Then , there is something call the forecasting grids that now many operational meteorologists are now required to use. In the gridded forecast world, which is rapidly spreading with technology, the forecaster is now required to spend most of their limited time with many deadlines to work mainly making good looking and very colorful weather forecast graphics; and much less time on trying to figure out what mother nature will do next with the weather. As a result, the forecast will likely be less accurate with this type of forecasting technique. But hey, those weather graphics do look great!

Finally, the biggest threat to our profession, and is on the minds of many forecasters, is the large cost cutting we see occurring around the world in both the public, university, and the private sector. We see more and more employers settling for less accurate forecasts made only by a computers rather then the more accurate ones that are produced by computers under the eyes of the meteorologist

With the grids now playing a major road in the forecasting future, we will likely see a decline for the need of a human forecaster. Even if it means a less accurate forecast.

So you will see an increase among the world of disgruntled forecasters. I can tell you that if I didn't like the weather, I would not be on Yahoo answering these questions. So I must disagree, most meteorologists do like weather. However, many don't like the direction this profession is now heading.

Answer 2

At least to begin with, they all like the weather. Passionately love the weather, in fact. You have to be passionate about it to go through the rigorous education requirements: all the dynamics, physics, calculus, programming... If you ask a meteorologist why they became a meteorologist, you'll know doubt hear "I've loved the weather my whole life..." and it's true.

The only thing I can think of is they ended up in a job they hate or they have to work extra hard when interesting weather happens. For example, I know some National Weather Service meteorologists who no longer enjoy severe weather because they are cramped up in the office trying to issue warnings and usually have to work overtime. This is a lot different view of severe weather than the storm chaser or researcher has.

I'd argue most meteorologists are passionate about the weather. Listen to a group of us talk sometime. Chances are you'd have to walk away because we won't talk about anything other than the weather.

Answer 3

It all depends on what you mean by accurate. Current forecasts are pretty good about 6 days out for most places. But unforseen things happen. So the longer the forecast, the less reliable it is. If you think about it, the forecasts are never going to be 100% - they say top of 36 but it's 35 or 37. Close enough but not 100%. So where do you draw the line - a 7day forecast might say top of 25 but it's 20 or 30 - close enough for you? So the answer is subjective. I used the 7 day forecast while I was building to avoid doing outside things on rainy days. I guess they were right 8 days out of 10 which was better than hoping it wouldn't rain and not looking at the forecast.

Answer 4

It is not correct.For arguement sake if you take it correct,then they dont like the weather because people always criticise the forecast which is a very difficult and complicated job.When a meteorologist forcasts rain over an area, people expect that the rain drops should fall exactly over their head.Even it falls on their neighbour's head they wont accept it as a correct forecast.That is the problem.

Answer 5

Don't say "most meteorologists" unless you have met them all or done a survey to represent the whole population of meteorologists in the world. =)

Maybe they took that job to understand weather so they can like it more. =D
Or in a more logical sense, they hate their job.

Answer 6

i am studying to be a meteorologist, and the only reason i chose that major is because i love the weather and how it wont be the same thing everyday, it's something new everyday, and i know i will love the future career

Answer 7

Hey TP I've been a meteorologist for nearly 45 years and I LOVE the study of weather and weather itself be it rain or snow or wind or storm. It is all beautiful and fun and exciting to study.

Answer 8

maybe the meterologists dont like the mass media fodder they have to spurt out every day, so some dude can say this little picture of a cloud means its gonna rain in 'your neck of the wood'. i dont doubt they got into it because of the awe inspiring power of weather, random events that can stop cities from functioning, superb sunsets as light refracts through particles in the atmosphere. what we call weather these days goes no further than 'fine and 23.c' or 'chance of rain later in the day'.

Answer 9

Because it something that interests them. Why are car mechanics interested in changing your oil. Because they like to work on cars. See simple.

Answer 10

REALLY ? THAT'S NEWS TO ME. IF THEY DON'T LIKE WEATHER, WHY ARE THEY WORKING IN THAT FIELD ? IS THE PAYS " SOOOO " GOOD THAT THEY STICK WITH IT? ANYWAYS THANKS FOR THE INFO.