meteorologists help! want to become one but.....?

Question

hello. i like the weather and learning about it and i have considered a career in meteorology for some time now.... problem is that i am not that great in math.. everyone i ask says you should be good in math and science... i am good in science but when it comes to math i have a hard time... i really want to do meteorology but i am discouraged because of my struggles in math... is it possible to become a meteorologist even if you arent the greatest at math??? how difficult is meteorology related math???

Answer 1

Yes, you can have a career in the forecasting field and other weather related jobs that are considered important in the meteorological world without a strong background in math. However, in order to get some of the more higher paying weather related jobs, almost all will require a college degree.

First, if you are still a young student and have not enter the college arena yet, and are not afraid of working hard, asking a lot of questions, and maybe changing the way of how you approach this difficult topic, then I would suggest that you give math another try. Sometimes, it may not be that you are bad in math, it may just be that you find the math subject not interesting because you can not relate to how you can use it in your field of interest. For math, like any difficult topic, it is easier to understand if have one or more persons to work and study with. And that old saying of asking a lot of questions also applies here.

Being in the operational field or meteorology for almost 20 years (operational meaning real time forecasting where you must monitor and make or update the forecast as things change in the weather.), I can tell you that the operational forecaster rarely uses the type of math they learned in college on his everyday work. Math is important to help you to understand the science and it is understanding the science that makes the biggest difference. Because, knowing the science will allow you to question the models if needed with more confidence and to better communicate with others as to why you made that forecast over other options.

But if rather take a little less demanding math and physics courses, you can consider a degree in broadcast meteorology. This career is very important as they often are the key link between the operational forecaster and the public. They take the technical forecast and break it down so that the public will understand. Even though their career may not require a strong math background, their strong interest in weather often plays a role that may be equal or greater than the operational forecaster. For example, they will likely get the message to more people that danger is coming their way so they can get to a safe place. They also play a major role to educate the public on weather safety.

In my opinion, getting a perfect grade in math is not important as long as you learn enough math to understand the science. I know a lot of great operational forecasters who were B to C students in college math.

So, what are some of your choices if you do not do well math and had to drop out of your atmospheric science major? You can always major in another natural science that does not required the strong math that is needed for an atmospheric science. You can also minor in meteorology. With this, you can aim for a career as a specialists. Some examples would be a natural disaster coordinator, a metrological technician (somebody who helps collect the weather data), a researcher assistance, a weather briefer for pilots, a weather consultant, etc.

Or you can still stay in the weather field, but not make it as a career. There are people who make weather a hobby and contribute their knowledge to help their communities. Important people that operational forecasters are always grateful to have are people like the emergency ham radio volunteers that keeps the warning network strong, the many weather spotters that the meteorologist can depend on with ground truth and can see more than just upwards that the ASOS is usually limited to, and to those other volunteers who operate co-op weather sites, those post their own weather instrument and/or weather cams and post them on the net, and some who uses their computer skills to build some of those great user friendly weather related web pages.

So you do have options at many levels. But if you can, give math another try. There will always be a need for people with a good understanding in weather, but may not be able to get a degree because they didn't do well in math. You can help now by becoming a volunteer weather spotter for the NWS. It is free, you will get training, and you will make contacts that may prove important once you get out of college.

Best Wishes and Good luck in your weather related career or hobby.

Answer 2

Meteorology is a really tough curriculum. It is a very advances physics degree. As we all know, physics in nothing more than math attached to the world.

Answer 3

Well, you may need Math skills for temperatures and other things. If you're not good at Math, you may want to consider trying to become better and better at Math. You shouldn't let something that you aren't good at discourage you from your dreams.