What Is Meteorology & What Does a Meteorologist Do?

Without a meteorologist to give the forecast we would be surprised by the weather almost every day. It is good to know if extreme cold weather is coming or strong storms and even flash floods. Meteorologists alert the public to these important events.

A strong storm is about to move on shore in the picture to the right. Meteorologists provided a forecast for the area and alerted the public to the possibility of storms. Some beach goers did not listen.

Sometimes the weather can do very strange things. In January of 1995, more than 20 inches of snow fell overnight in parts of middle Missouri. Meteorologists warned the public that very heavy snow was likely and everyone made preparations.

Weather forecasts impact the lives of every one of us, every day.

Farming is greatly dependent upon the weather. Rain is needed for crops, but too much rain can be bad.

How does the weather affect construction workers? If rain is forecast, laying concrete is not a good idea. Some machinery may be unsafe to use. If the National Weather Service is forecasting a rainy season, construction may be postponed until a later date.

Outdoor sporting events depend greatly on the weather. Soccer, rugby, football and other sports may be played in rainy conditions. Baseball, softball and especially golf are typically stopped during rain. All outdoor sports should be stopped when thunder or lightning is detected in the area. Lightning can be dangerous, so when it is in the area seek a safe shelter.

Before PGA golf tournaments begin, a team of meteorologists will create a forecast for the area. During the tournament, the weather team will monitor current conditions watching for dangerous lightning. When lightning is detected the tournament will be stopped until the danger passes.

How does weather affect you? Name a few ways that the forecast affects your daily life. Think about all four seasons. What activities that you enjoy may be canceled, postponed or changed because of weather?