Media Weathercasting

Media weathercastingfor television, radio, and newspapersclearly is the highest profile of all careers in meteorology. At the top of the profile totem pole is television weathercasting. Employment in that market segment ranges from celebrity-type positions at major networks and cable channels to part-time, relatively obscure jobs at small-market stations. Obscure or not, small-market television jobs provide extensive opportunities for fledgling television weathercasters. In effect, they supply the on-the-job training a meteorologist needs to compete for major market positions. There also is a lot of "behind-the-scenes" effort put forth by private meteorological firms in support of television weathercasting. Such firms generate forecasts and develop on-air graphics for client stations. Some larger stations have their own supporting meteorologists who carry out similar tasks.

Broadcast meteorologists exercise their skill as operational forecasters by producing weather forecasts as just one component of larger news broadcasts. The graphical representation of their weather analysis is accomplished through computer graphic systems specific to the broadcast sector. A strong theoretical background in meteorology is a necessity, forecast experience is highly useful, and computer competence is helpful. Obviously, strong communication skills are essential, in terms of both oral and written communication. Broadcast meteorologists are often asked to act as environmental reporters, generating stories on a variety of earth topics. Other parts of the job may include forecast development for the Internet, radio stations, and newspapers. Broadcast meteorologists often represent a strong link to the community and are frequently called upon to bring weather into many local classrooms.

Not only are private weather-forecasting operations heavily involved in television work, but they do virtually all of the commercial radio weathercasting in the United States. There are only a handful of radio stations that have their own staff meteorologists. Private corporations, from centralized facilities, provide nationwide radio weathercasting services to a huge variety of stations. The stations cover the full spectrum of market sizes and formats. Most of the broadcasts, both live and taped, are delivered via telephone connections, but even over telephone lines modern technology and equipment can deliver studio-quality sound.

Services to newspapers also emanate from private forecasting corporations. Forecasts, texts, and colorful graphics are disseminated to newspapers throughout the nation. Similar to other media support, the size of operations supported runs the scale from national publications to big city dailies to small local papers.

Finally, a relatively new type of media service has emerged over the past several years. A plethora of environmental facts and figures has blossomed on the Internet. A large number of government agencies, private operations, universities, television stations, and even individuals have home pages on the Web. Behind the home pages can be found an immense storehouse of data and information: forecasts, warnings, stories and articles, radar and satellite imagery, forecast models, research papers, open discussions, and even job opportunities. Some organizations have individuals, both forecasters and software specialists, dedicated exclusively to Internet support.

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