Severe Weather Specialist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Severe Weather Specialist

Best Schools to become a Severe Weather Specialist in U.S. 2024

University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

Norman, OK

In-State Tuition:$4,920
Out-of-State Tuition:$21,488
Admission Rate:73%
Graduation Rate:76%
Total Enrollment:28,308

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA

In-State Tuition:$19,286
Out-of-State Tuition:$38,102
Admission Rate:55%
Graduation Rate:83%
Total Enrollment:50,028

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA

In-State Tuition:$15,054
Out-of-State Tuition:$15,054
Admission Rate:82%
Graduation Rate:36%
Total Enrollment:13,979

Texas A & M University-College Station

College Station, TX

In-State Tuition:$8,815
Out-of-State Tuition:$36,239
Admission Rate:63%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:74,014

University of Washington-Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA

In-State Tuition:$11,189
Out-of-State Tuition:$39,687
Admission Rate:48%
Graduation Rate:84%
Total Enrollment:52,319

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

In-State Tuition:$4,640
Out-of-State Tuition:$19,084
Admission Rate:25%
Graduation Rate:85%
Total Enrollment:44,161
Severe Weather Specialist Job Description:
  • Investigate atmospheric phenomena and interpret meteorological data, gathered by surface and air stations, satellites, and radar to prepare reports and forecasts for public and other uses.
  • Includes weather analysts and forecasters whose functions require the detailed knowledge of meteorology.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Severe Weather Specialist

Job Duties for Severe Weather Specialists

  • Broadcast weather conditions, forecasts, or severe weather warnings to the public via television, radio, or the Internet or provide this information to the news media.

  • Develop or use mathematical or computer models for weather forecasting.

  • Gather data from sources such as surface or upper air stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for use in meteorological reports or forecasts.

Technologies and Skills Used by Severe Weather Specialists

Analytical or scientific software

  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • SAS

Graphics or photo imaging software

  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Microsoft Paint

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Reading work related information

People and Technology Systems

  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one

Problem Solving

  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Severe Weather Specialist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Severe Weather Specialist

FAQs About Becoming a Severe Weather Specialist