This essential information is applied in agriculture, air-pollution, air and sea transportation, and in the study of trends in the earth's climate such as global warming or ozone depletion. More accurate instruments for measuring and observing weather conditions, as well as high-speed computers to process and analyze weather data, have revolutionized weather forecasting. Meteorologists are now able to generate large-scale weather analyses and predictions. One of their primary concerns is to improve forecasts, particularly long range forecasts. They use satellite data, climate theory, and sophisticated computer models of the world's atmosphere to help forecast the weather and interpret the results of these models to make local area forecasts.
Meteorologists usually specialize in one type of work.
General Forecasters provide weather summaries for limited geographic areas. Specialized Forecasters develop forecasts for use in agriculture, aviation, forestry, and marine operations. Research Meteorologists study atmospheric physics to advance meteorological theory and to improve mathematical models of atmospheric activity. They may study the dispersal of air pollutants over urban areas, severe storm mechanics, weather modification, and new weather prediction techniques. Climatologists study climatic variations spanning hundreds or even millions of years.