Weather forecaster to aviation meteorologist
A weather forecaster already meets 27% of what the aviation meteorologist role asks for. The move turns on 15 required skills not yet in the profile.
74.2/ 100
1 How much of what an aviation meteorologist is expected to do is already part of a weather forecaster’s work. Directional: the figure for the reverse move differs, because moving into a speciality is not the same problem as moving out of one. 2 Every skill the aviation meteorologist role is recorded as needing, required and optional together. What these numbers mean.
Why this move works
An aviation meteorologist role treats 6 of its required skills as things a weather forecaster already does. You would walk in with these on day one.
- analyse weather forecast
- carry out meteorological research
- develop models for weather forecast
- review meteorological forecast data
- use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditions
- use specialised computer models for weather forecasting
What stands in the way is 15 required skills the profile does not yet cover. Table 3 groups them; Table 4 says which to take first.
Table 2 · What you already bring
Of the 6 skills that carry over, these are the ones fewest other occupations ask for. An aviation meteorologist role needs them, and most people applying for one will not have them already. This is the part of a weather forecaster background worth leading with.
- already held develop models for weather forecast information skills
- already held carry out meteorological research information skills
- already held use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditions information skills
- already held use specialised computer models for weather forecasting information skills
- already held review meteorological forecast data information skills
- already held analyse weather forecast information skills
All 6 carried skills, including the 6 the aviation meteorologist role treats as required.
Table 3 · What you may need to learn
The 18 missing skills fall into 7 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, numbered in the order worth working in. Areas carrying the most required skills come first, and inside each one the required skills sit above the optional ones. Nothing here is a verdict on you: it is a list of what this particular job asks for that your current one does not.
- still to learn advise aircraft in hazardous conditions required
- still to learn work in an aviation team required
- still to learn adapt to changing situations required
- still to learn coach employees required
- still to learn train employees required
- still to learn use different communication channels required
- optional, not held present reports optional
- still to learn forecast meteorological conditions required
- still to learn prepare forecasts for take-off and landing required
- still to learn provide reports on routine meteorological observations required
- still to learn collect weather-related data required
- still to learn plan procurement of meteorological equipment required
- still to learn provide quality assurance for meteorological services+H40 required
- optional, not held tolerate stress optional
- still to learn monitor performance of meteorological equipment required
- still to learn perform data analysis required
- still to learn use aeronautical mobile service communications required
1 further area in the appendix
Table 4 · Where to start
The 3 entries an aviation meteorologist role is least likely to hire without. The ordering is computed from the skill data, not from what pays.
- 01 advise aircraft in hazardous conditions practise this
- 02 forecast meteorological conditions practise this
- 03 monitor performance of meteorological equipment practise this
Each entry opens a course search for that skill. Career Overlap earns nothing from these links.
Appendix · The rest of the record
All 6 skills that carry over
- already held analyse weather forecast skill
- already held carry out meteorological research skill
- already held develop models for weather forecast skill
- already held review meteorological forecast data skill
- already held use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditions skill
- already held use specialised computer models for weather forecasting skill
The 1 learning area not shown above
- optional, not held follow airport safety procedures optional
3 supplementary skills, helpful but not required
- optional, not held follow airport safety procedures optional
- optional, not held tolerate stress optional
- optional, not held present reports optional
17 held skills the aviation meteorologist role does not ask for
- not needed by the target role adopt a relaxed posture skill
- not needed by the target role audiovisual equipment knowledge
- not needed by the target role breathing techniques knowledge
- not needed by the target role conduct research on climate processes skill
- not needed by the target role develop instrumentation systems skill
- not needed by the target role lighting techniques knowledge
- not needed by the target role mathematics knowledge
- not needed by the target role memorise lines skill
- not needed by the target role meteorology knowledge
- not needed by the target role photography knowledge
- not needed by the target role physics knowledge
- not needed by the target role present during live broadcasts skill
- not needed by the target role pronunciation techniques knowledge
- not needed by the target role read pre-drafted texts skill
- not needed by the target role use data processing techniques skill
- not needed by the target role vocal techniques knowledge
- not needed by the target role work with a voice coach skill
Common questions about this move
Can a weather forecaster become an aviation meteorologist?
Yes, and it is a substantial move. A weather forecaster already covers 27% of what an aviation meteorologist is expected to do: 6 skills carry over, 6 of which the aviation meteorologist role treats as required.
What skills does a weather forecaster need to become an aviation meteorologist?
15 required skills are missing, plus 3 optional ones. They fall into 7 areas of the ESCO skill hierarchy, led by communication, collaboration and creativity. The single most important is advise aircraft in hazardous conditions.
How hard is the move from weather forecaster to aviation meteorologist?
Its learning distance is 74.2 out of 100, which is the substantial band. That accounts for both how much is missing and how specialised those skills are.
How this record was compiled
Both occupations are taken from ESCO, which lists the skills and knowledge each occupation is expected to have and marks every one required or optional. Nothing here is a prediction about hiring, and nothing here knows that a particular employer wants a particular certificate. Treat Table 3 as a starting point for your own research rather than a syllabus. The full method states what these figures can and cannot tell you.