Climatologists collect, analyze, and interpret past records of wind, rainfall, sunshine, and temperature in specific areas or regions. Their studies are used to design buildings and to plan heating and cooling systems, effective land use, and agricultural production. Other research meteorologists may examine the most effective ways to control or diminish air pollution or improve weather forecasting using mathematical models. Meteorologists involved in weather forecasting sometimes work evenings, weekends, or holidays. Jobs in weather stations, most of which operate around the clock 7 days a week, often involve night, weekend, and holiday work and rotating shifts.
Operational meteorologists are often under pressure to meet forecast deadlines.
Meteorologists not doing forecasting work regular hours, usually in offices. Employment Meteorologists held about 6,100 jobs in 1992. The majority of NOAA's meteorologists work in the National Weather Service at stations in all parts of the United States. The remainder of NOAA's meteorologists work mainly in research or in program management. The Department of Defense employs about 280 civilian meteorologists.