However, other more sophisticated weather equipment that transmits data as frequently as every few minutes is also used. Doppler radar is an example of this kind of equipment. It can find patterns in violent storm systems. This allows forecasters to better predict thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flash floods. It also allows them to find which direction the storm is coming from and how strong it will be.
Meteorologists usually specialize in one area.
Of these areas, weather forecasting is the best known. Meteorologists who forecast the weather are called operational meteorologists. They are the largest group of specialists. They identify and interpret weather patterns to predict the weather. They may try to predict the weather for a week, months, or even years.