Meteorological Technician Career Description
Meteorological technicians are responsible for the collection of meteorological information. Except for a few specialists, almost all the climatological services at the Weather Bureau are rendered by technicians. These services include the rendering of meteorological advice services, the operating and maintenance of a weather observation network throughout the whole South Africa, research and training.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Before any meteorological forecast can be given, the technicians must collect a large amount of meteorological information. Observations are made of different elements such as temperature, atmospheric pressure, visibility and clouds. Various aids such as computers, radar and automatic weather stations are used to make these observations. The meteorological technicians are responsible for the maintenance of these apparatus.
After meteorological technicians have checked all the information, they send it to the most important weather offices with the use of meteorological codes. Sometimes observations are directly sent to air navigation and marine offices. Weather offices at all the major airports are manned with meteorological technicians who provide more than 300 flight forecasts daily to air navigation. Forecasts are also provided to agriculture, industry and the general public.
Records are kept of all observations. Meteorological technicians of the Weather Bureau are responsible for the establishment of a data bank with the use of the computer. Meteorological technicians work shifts and some weather offices are open for 24 hours daily.
Meteorological instrument technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance and development of electronic and sophisticated equipment such as electronic airport systems and weather radars.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Because the safety of aircraft and human lives depends on the observations of meteorological technicians, accuracy and attentiveness are important qualities.
Where can I work?
As mentioned previously, meteorological technicians are employed by the Department of Environment, airports. Technicians are also placed on the weather ships.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Meteorological technicians are necessarily employed by the Department of Environment Affairs.
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