Skip to Main Content

Forensic Meteorologists

Employment Prospects

Employers

Forensic meteorologists are employed by law firms; insurance companies; financial, real estate, and risk management firms; government agencies at all levels, and any other entity that is trying to establish the facts regarding historical meteorological conditions. They also may launch their own consulting firms to provide services to these companies and organizations.

Starting Out

Most people enter this field after working for at least five years as a traditional meteorologist with the National Weather Service; at other federal employers such as the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Agriculture; at an airline or another transportation-related employer; or as a broadcast meteorologist. While working as a traditional meteorologist, they augment their skills and knowledge base by taking classes and participating in workshops that focus on forensic meteorology. Some may even participate in internships or work part-time at a forensic meteorology consulting firm to learn the ropes.

Forensic meteorologists can find job openings by attending meteorology career fairs and networking events, using LinkedIn and other professional networking sites, utilizing job boards that are hosted by meteorology associations, and by contacting companies directly about job openings.

Related Professions