Q&A for How to Become a Meteorologist

Well, there are weather forecasters, climatologists, researchers in atmospheric sciences, consulting meteorologists, lecturers, and weather broadcasters.

Take as many math and science courses as possible, and as challenging as they come. Physics, geology, chemistry, earth sciences, calculus, and pre-calc will prepare you the most.

You should take as much science and math as you can. Generally, you need Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science, and Geology, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. You may also want to take some computer courses.

It is very dangerous, but it is an absolutely thrilling thing that few people get to see and be apart of.

It depends on how hard you work. Every radio and local TV station needs weathermen/women, but it is a competitive field.

You need a Bachelor of Science degree to become a meteorologist.

There is not so much an age requirement as there is an education requirement. Most meteorologists have at least a 4 year college degree so the youngest age would be around the early 20's.

Colleges include Penn State, SUNY Oneonta, Valparaiso University, Cornell University, University of Maryland, University of Delaware and SUNY Albany.

It all depends on which type of meteorology you decide to go into.

At least a BS for routine work like weather guidance for aircraft/marine vessels; a BS + internships are almost necessary if you wish to work at the National Weather Service or in broadcasting. MS is the bare minimum for work in some kind of research, including NASA, and your role will be limited. PhD is the minimum to work as a tenure-track professor/researcher at a university or institution.

Tornado chasing has two main types, professional and amateur. Professionals are mostly physical meteorologists who specialize in extreme weather. If you want to do this, you will need to follow the steps. However, an alternative is to become an amateur. These people aren't paid and are most likely employed in a different field. They chase tornadoes for the fun of it, and some report their findings to the NWS. You need no prior training or qualifications in order to chase tornadoes other than a gut and interest.

This depends on what kind of meteorologist you would like to become. While an operational or physical meteorologist would most likely not need to work with codes regularly, a synoptic meteorologist most certainly would. In addition, your employer won't look at your high school courses, so keep that in mind if you're looking into a job that recommends experience with technology.

Meteorologists have a bachelor of science degree majoring in meteorology or atmospheric science. You can pursue a second bachelors degree in computer science so you can program weather maps or new forecasting models. Or, talk about a bridging course if that's available at your university.

A Bachelor Of Science in Meteorology or Atmospheric Science is the ideal degree you want to pursue. If you can't find those degrees near you, try science and then transfer to the more detailed degree when you're ready to go to a university further away.

Ideally, an operational meteorologist specializing in severe weather. Such experience is usually best gained at certain universities (e.g. OU), or in certain positions (NWS in a location with severe weather). However, severe weather varies by location, so you will be educating yourself a lot of the time by reading case studies and journal articles on specialized and complex topics. Keep in mind, chasing severe weather rarely pays at all, let alone a livable wage. You will be competing with hundreds to thousands of chasers during exceptional events. Most chasers I know do it for fun and to report events to the NWS on a volunteer basis without recognition.