21103 Meteorologists and climatologists

What this occupation covers

Meteorologists and climatologists analyze and forecast weather, provide consultation on atmospheric phenomena and conduct research into the processes and phenomena of weather, climate and atmosphere. They are employed by all levels of government, natural resources and utility companies, the media and private consulting firms, or they may be self-employed.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 10 main duties for this code.

• Analyze and interpret data obtained from meteorological stations, radar and satellite imagery and computer model output
• Produce weather forecasts and provide weather consulting services for industries such as aviation, marine, agriculture and tourism, and to the general public
• Disseminate weather forecasts and reports to the general public through a variety of media including radio, television, print and the Internet
• Conduct research and provide consultation on the processes and determinants of atmospheric phenomena, weather and climate, atmospheric dispersion, and physical and chemical transformation of pollutants
• Develop and test mathematical computer models of weather and climate for experimental or operational use
• Analyze the impact of industrial projects and human activity on the climate and quality of the air and work with the social science, engineering and economic communities to develop appropriate mitigation strategies
• Participate in studies of the effect of weather on the environment
• Provide consultation and advice to outside agencies, professionals, or researchers regarding the use and interpretation of climatological information
• Make scientific presentations, publish reports, articles or popular texts for specialists, users or the general public
• May engage in the design and development of new equipment and procedures for meteorological data collection, remote sensing, or for related applications.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 2 of its 10 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 52114 Announcers and other broadcasters

Excluded from this code

• Weather reporter (See 52114 Announcers and other broadcasters)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

agricultural meteorologist · air quality meteorologist · applied meteorologist · climatologist · hydrometeorologist · industrial meteorologist · meteorologist · operational meteorologist · paleometeorologist · physical meteorologist · synoptic meteorologist · weather forecaster

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's or master's degree in meteorology, atmospheric sciences or in a related field is required.
• A doctoral degree is usually required for employment as a research scientist in meteorology.
• Formal training is provided by Environment Canada for operational meteorologists employed by the federal government.
• Membership in the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society is available, but voluntary, for qualified meteorologists.