Forecaster training

The Met Office College is able to offer professional forecaster training to employees of other organisations with an interest in meteorology. Training for forecasters is divided into three programmes — Foundation, Professional development and Specialist.

All our courses cover any necessary new theory, but they are all essentially practical courses based upon an assessment of the current competencies that practising forecasters need.

Foundation programme

The foundation programme is designed for those people who are new to forecasting. At the end of the programme, the student is capable of operating in any forecasting environment without the support of more-experienced staff. This programme provides a complete set of fundamental forecasting competencies that all forecasters require.

The programme provides training in the synoptic meteorological knowledge and fundamental forecasting skills needed to take up a forecasting post. On-the-job training is then carried out by the organisation employing the trainee forecaster.

Our foundation programme

Professional training course calendar

Professional development programme

The Professional development programme is designed for those who are able to work in the forecasting environment independently of others, but who need to further develop some of the core forecasting competencies.

This programme consists of two parts.

1. Our Advanced Forecasting course

   This has been designed to complement and follow on from the Foundation Training Programme after a period of two to three years. It can also be used to complete basic forecaster training which has been taken elsewhere. It introduces some new meteorological theory and enhances the forecaster’s understanding of the behaviour of the atmosphere, enabling them to demonstrate an informed opinion on NWP model performance. It is particularly suitable for staff who may shortly be moving to positions of responsibility within a forecasting team.

2. The following four additional short courses.
   • Satellite imagery interpretation
   • Using NWP products
     
   • Summer or winter forecasting
     
   • Probability forecasting
     

They are aimed at a specific forecasting interest and can be attended in any order.

Professional training course calendar

Specialist forecaster programme

The specialist forecaster programme is designed for those who have a need for forecasting skills that are not required of all forecasters generally.

The specialist programme consists of a Global Meteorology course and a Wave Model Interpretation course. The Global Meteorology course focuses on weather in different parts of the world.

Professional training course calendar

How to find us

Our courses normally take place at our training facilities in Exeter.

How to find us in Exeter