what does it take to become a metorolgest?

Question

I'm a sophomore in high school in honors classes. I've always been fascinated by weather since I was 4. I'm just looking career options thanks.

Answer 1

Hi. Excellent choice. I've always loved the weather too, but it is more of a hobby type thing for me- I found my true passion was/is psychology. Anyway, if you want to get a jump on some of the classes that would be beneficial for you to take prior to going to college, you would be wise to take chemistry, physics, earth science, algebra 1 and 2, pre-calculus or calculus, geometry and statistics. Any computer applications classes would also be a good asset. If you think you can handle it and your grades up to par, try taking a good majority of AP or honors classes because they will give you a better idea of what the degree of difficulty you can expect when you take these types of courses at college.

These are some of the math and science courses my college requires that the meteorology majors take:

MATH 221. Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
Limits, continuity, differentiation, applications of derivatives, integration. Prereq.: 115, or 112 and 113, or high school advanced algebra and trigonometry with a satisfactory math placement score. 5 Cr. F, S, SUM, ALT.

MATH 222. Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
Integration techniques and applications, inverse functions, topics in analytic geometry, sequences and series, improper integrals, plane curves. Prereq.: 221. 4 Cr. F, S.

MATH 325. Differential Equations
First and second order differential equations with applications; matrices, determinants, bases, eigenvalues; systems of linear equations with constant coefficients; initial value problems and general solutions; variation of parameters. Prereq.: 222. 3 Cr. F, S.

STAT 229. Statistics for the Physical Sciences
Descriptive statistics, graphical displays, random sampling, normal and binomial distributions; confidence intervals and hypothesis tests for means and proportions; paired t-test, pooled t-test, testing for equality for two variances; brief introduction to correlation and simple linear regression; applications from management and physical sciences, use of statistical software package. Prereq.: 193 or MATH 193 or MATH 112 or equivalent. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.

+PHYS 234. Classical Physics I
Newton's laws of motion; work and energy; linear momentum; rotational motion; equilibrium and elasticity; periodic motion; fluid mechanics; temperature, heat and thermal properties of matter; laws of thermodynamics. Lab. Coreq.: MATH 221. 5 Cr. F, S.

PHYS 235. Classical Physics II
Waves, normal modes, and sound; electrical force, fields, and potentials; capacitance and dielectrics; current and resistance; DC circuits; magnetic forces and fields; induction, AC current; E-M waves; geometric and wave optics; optical instruments. Lab. Prereq.: Grades of C or better in MATH 221 and PHYS 234. Coreq.: MATH 222. 5 Cr. F, S.

+CHEM 210. General Chemistry 1 (3,3)
General chemistry principles. Stoichiometry, solutions, bonding, quantum chemistry, thermochemistry, properties of solids, liquids and gases. Lab. Prereq.: High school advanced algebra or MATH 072; High school chemistry and a passing grade on the CHEM 210 placement exam, or a C or higher in CHEM 160. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.

Answer 2

You should take computer and math courses, especially advanced ones (in HS) like chemistry, earth science, physics, and calculus. Computers are used a lot in meteorology, so you should be very good with them. Foreign languages (especially Russian, German, and French) can also be helpful in keeping up with international developments in atmospheric science.
In college, you can major in meteorology or atmospheric science. You could also major in physics, chemistry, engineering, or math.
Going to grad school will open A LOT of doors for you in terms of jobs.
Examples of jobs regarding meteorology: Researcher (like for NASA), Engineering Meteorologist, Forecaster, Broadcast Metorologist, Information Specialist, and a general Meteorologist