| The requirements and job duties of becoming a | | | | public, ownership of the particular television |
| television meteorologist has changed greatly over | | | | station, and for many other reasons. Generally |
| the years. From its inception, weathercasters | | | | speaking, the higher the market the higher the |
| used magnetic weather symbols or markers to | | | | salary that one would be paid. The reason for this |
| draw fronts, and high and low pressure systems, | | | | is because larger markets can make higher ad |
| to convey their forecast. Today, high tech has | | | | revenues. There are over 200 markets in the U.S. |
| taken over. Weathercasters now use computers | | | | with cites like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago |
| to display glitzy 3-d graphics, Doppler radar to | | | | and Philadelphia being near the top. Working in a |
| show approaching storms, and tower cams to | | | | small market may mean living in a town that you |
| show the most current weather. | | | | have never heard of before in a mostly rural |
| Studies / Schooling | | | | area. |
| There are many ways to become a television | | | | At a television station, there are three |
| meteorologist. First, and probably most common, | | | | meteorologists on average to cover the |
| is by going to a college or university where you | | | | newscasts during the week. The chief |
| can obtain a meteorology or atmospheric science | | | | meteorologist is the head of the team. He is the |
| degree. Florida State University, University of | | | | highest paid. The morning and noon meteorologist |
| Oklahoma and Penn State are a few of the | | | | is usually next in salary paid. The weekend |
| better Universities for meteorology among many. | | | | meteorologist is the lowest paid on average. Keep |
| Second, some students major in journalism in | | | | in mind there are always exceptions to the rule. |
| college then become weathercasters later. A | | | | Also, it is important to note that some TV |
| student may be interested in journalism and news | | | | stations have possibly four or even five |
| reporting and be called to "fill in" for a | | | | meteorologists on staff. The extra |
| meteorologist. Some may reconsider their career | | | | weathercasters may be vacation relief or have |
| and then may take meteorology courses to be a | | | | other responsibilities. Smaller TV stations may only |
| weathercaster. Thirdly, a few people have been | | | | have two weathercasters to cover the week |
| trained as meteorologists in the military. The | | | | with limited newscasts. Cable television also has a |
| military offers study similar to that received in | | | | hierarchy in salaries in which there is a large scale |
| accredited colleges for meteorology. Lastly, | | | | difference between those that are seen as the |
| sometimes it is possible to be a weathercaster | | | | "stars" and others that work times other than |
| coming from a totally unrelated field of study. The | | | | prime time hours. |
| news director may find someone that relates well | | | | Television stations are owned by different groups, |
| with people and hire them. | | | | or media companies. Some media company |
| Regardless of the pathway that you would | | | | ownerships tend to pay more than others. This is |
| choose to become a meteorologist, it is prudent | | | | a result of the personal business philosophy of |
| that you are well versed in math and science. | | | | that stations owner. One station may try to get |
| Meteorology relies heavily upon math through | | | | away with the "bare bones" in making a |
| calculus and physics. It is advisable to take this | | | | newscast, and skimp on salaries and other areas. |
| type of course work in high school to be well | | | | Another station may reward its employees with |
| prepared. | | | | good salaries and benefits. Knowing people in the |
| A typical day at work | | | | news business is really the only sure way to |
| A typical day at work most likely would start at | | | | know if a certain station will pay a reasonable |
| home. Many meteorologists constantly look at the | | | | salary for its market size. |
| weather and keep up with the latest weather | | | | A person's popularity is another way to measure |
| trends. Once at the TV station, the day would | | | | salary. News stations regularly research how |
| start by looking at the current weather, possibly | | | | popular their personalities on-air are. A |
| analyzing a current weather map, then checking | | | | meteorologist that may be a local celebrity or has |
| the computer model forecasts. There are many | | | | been in a market many years may be paid well |
| numerical forecast models which display all types | | | | above what that market size calls for. On the |
| of weather data. Temperature, wind, rainfall, | | | | reverse side, a large market may hire someone |
| snowfall, and severe weather parameters are | | | | with relatively little experience that may make |
| some examples of the information that the | | | | less than what would be expected in that market. |
| meteorologist will study. There are many different | | | | Finally, what kind of salaries can be expected? In |
| computer models to look at, all with their own | | | | a top 10 market, the chief meteorologist may |
| unique set of equations that produce usually | | | | make $500,000 or considerably more. The |
| different forecast solutions. Sometimes it can be | | | | morning and noon meteorologist make about |
| quite difficult to know which forecast computer | | | | $150,000 - $200,000 and the weekend |
| model has the best handle on the situation. | | | | meteorologist about $100,000. Keep in mind that |
| Once a meteorologist determines which forecast | | | | most meteorologists don't make anything close to |
| he wants to go with, he or she will then create | | | | these salaries. As a comparison, the chief |
| the weather graphics on a computer to display | | | | meteorologist makes about $70,000 in market |
| the story to the public. In some television stations | | | | 100, and less than $20,000 in market 200. In TV |
| or cable networks, graphic techs create the | | | | cable, weathercasters make a wide margin as well |
| weather forecasts that will be shown on-air. After | | | | - from the range of less than $50,000 to well |
| the graphics are created, the meteorologist will | | | | over $250,000 for the prime time |
| check that everything is in proper working order. | | | | weathercasters. Remember, that are no hard and |
| In the world of computers, it is very easy to | | | | fast rules concerning salaries, just generalities. You |
| miss all of the details that make a weathercast | | | | are as valuable as the management at the station |
| flow smoothly. | | | | will pay you. |
| Before the show starts, the meteorologist must | | | | The Intangibles |
| apply make-up. Just like in the movies, bright lights | | | | Television is a visible medium. The cold hard truth |
| can cause shiny spots or deep shadows on | | | | is that people who are good looking tends to find |
| people's faces. To correct this problem make-up | | | | their way into the business much easier than |
| is used, even by the men. Some television | | | | others. This fact is true throughout the business |
| stations have a make-up artist for the on-air | | | | world, but much more so in television. Improving |
| talent. TV stations with a smaller budget require | | | | your wardrobe, smile, and hair are all ways to |
| the on-air people to do their own make-up. The | | | | improve your appearance. |
| process can take anywhere from a few minutes | | | | You probably have heard of the "X" factor. It is |
| to about an hour depending if the on-air persons | | | | something that is hard to put into words, but you |
| hair is done also. | | | | know that a person just "has it". Some people are |
| If there is any additional time before the | | | | just natural at giving a great weather presentation |
| weathercast starts, the meteorologist may | | | | and you are drawn to them. This is something |
| research events occurring in town, to be able to | | | | that you can do little to change, but does play a |
| cover topics that the viewers are interested in. | | | | role on how some people can seem to get job |
| Parades, concerts, ball games, lake forecasts, | | | | offers at ease. |
| marine forecasts, ski forecasts, fishing forecasts | | | | Another little thought of aspect of being a |
| are all examples of events and subjects that the | | | | television meteorologist is working shift work and |
| meteorologist studies for his viewer to give a well | | | | holidays. Carefully consider that the hours may be |
| rounded weathercast. Even though it is not | | | | far less than desirable for "normal" family life. Your |
| directly related, the meteorologist should also be | | | | work hours may not allow you to eat dinner with |
| aware of any celestial objects of interest such as | | | | your family, or you may need to be at work at 2 |
| a lunar eclipse, solar eclipse, visible comets, or | | | | am. You may not be able to go to church with |
| meteor showers. The public relates this to | | | | your family or take off holidays such as |
| weather since it can be viewed in the sky. | | | | Thanksgiving, 4th of July, or Christmas. You may |
| As the newscast starts, the weathercaster may | | | | need to work nights, shift work, or if you're a |
| be on the set with the news team, or in the | | | | weather reporter, be away from home for |
| weather office if a breaking weather story is | | | | several days. |
| occurring. During the average day the | | | | Is it worth it? |
| meteorologist may be on for about two to four | | | | A career as a TV meteorologist can be very |
| minutes. They may have several "mini-weather | | | | exciting with the rapid changes and challenges of |
| updates" or teases that last from ten seconds to | | | | weather forecasting. Factor in your lifestyle when |
| a half a minute. It will vary depending on what the | | | | deciding on choosing this as a career. As |
| news director wants to do with the newscast. On | | | | mentioned above, work hours can be a source of |
| severe weather situations, the meteorologist may | | | | significant stress. If you really want to give TV |
| be on for much longer stretches of time and | | | | weather casting a go, it is advisable, to have two |
| work many hours. | | | | principal areas of study in college. This would give |
| Salaries | | | | you another choice of career if you decided it |
| Salaries can vary by the market (town) size, | | | | wasn't right for you. |
| amount of experience, your popularity with the | | | | |