They identify and interpret weather patterns to predict the weather. They may try to predict the weather for a week, months, or even years. They get their information from weather satellites, computers, and people in many parts of the world. Some forecasters still use weather maps. However, computers now plot and analyze most weather information.
Weather forecasts are important for safety and economic reasons.
This is especially true for people who work in shipping, agriculture, utilities, aviation, and fishing. However, weather information and meteorological research are also used in air pollution control, agriculture, defense, and air and sea transportation. It is also used to study trends in the earth's climate. One example of this kind of trend is global warming. Some meteorologists work in research.