Occupation intelligence

aviation meteorologist

Role lens

Do you have a passion for weather and a desire to contribute to safe air travel? As an aviation meteorologist, you’ll be at the forefront, providing crucial weather information to pilots and airport teams, ensuring smooth and secure flights.

Summary

Aviation meteorologists play a vital role in the aviation industry, focusing specifically on weather conditions impacting flight operations. Your work involves constant monitoring, analysis, and forecasting to provide timely and accurate information. This is a detail-oriented role requiring strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex data clearly and concisely. You’ll be a key link between weather patterns and the safety of air travel.

Key responsibilities
  • • Providing day-to-day, hour-to-hour weather observations and forecasts for airports and en route conditions.
  • • Analyzing weather data from various sources, including radar, satellite imagery, and surface observations.
  • • Issuing warnings and advisories for hazardous weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, fog, and icing.
83%
Resilience Score

Do you have a passion for weather and a desire to contribute to safe air travel? As an aviation meteorologist, you’ll be at the forefront, providing crucial weather information to pilots and airport teams, ensuring smooth and secure flights.

Energy & Natural Resources Bachelor's or equivalent level 18% AI exposure
Start Career DNA assessment
Quick fit check

Could aviation meteorologist fit you?

Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.

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Do you enjoy tasks that require Dependability?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?

Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?

NexFuture

Future Outlook for aviation meteorologist

The outlook for aviation meteorologist is exceptionally stable. While AI tools will assist with daily tasks, the core of this role relies on human judgment, resulting in a high resilience score of 83.3%.

How are these scores calculated?

The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.

Play the future

How could aviation meteorologist change as AI adoption grows?

Human judgement, trust, and context remain strong protectors for this role.

Significant task-level transformation is estimated in 19 years (around 2045) under the selected Expected Pace scenario.
83%
Resilience
Automation Risk
EXP24%
Human advantage
MOAT81%
2026
2036
2050
AI Adoption Speed:

How AI may change this role

Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.

Human-owned 83% Human-owned
What still depends on people

This role remains strongly human-led where advise aircraft in hazardous conditions depends on trust, nuance, and real-world judgement.

The Human Edge To stay ahead in this role, focus on collect weather-related data and prepare forecasts for take-off and landing. These human-centric skills are the hardest for AI to replicate in the next 20 years.
Assist 40% Assist
Where AI may become a co-pilot

AI is more likely to assist supporting tasks such as forecast meteorological conditions, documentation, search, and workflow coordination.

Automate 18% Automate
Tasks most exposed to automation

Automation pressure appears selective rather than broad, with the strongest signal currently coming from Cognitive software.

Detailed Analysis

Vital Signs, AI Vectors & Megatrends

Show more

Vital Signs

AI Exposure Vectors

0-100%
Cognitive Software 39.6%

Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation

Generative AI 33.9%

Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools

AI / Machine Learning 20%

Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks

Robotic & Physical Automation 0%

Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement

Megatrend Signals

0-100%
Spatial Change 18%
Demographic Shift 7%
Regulatory Pressure 6%
Green Transition 0%
Digital Transformation 0%
Geopolitical Change 0%

Model-derived scores. Indicates structural exposure to megatrends, not direct demand.

Technical Details
Methodology: NexFuture v2.0 Sources: O*NET 30.0, ESCO v1.2.0 Updated: May 2026

NexFuture™ v2.0 combines O*NET ability and activity profiles with ESCO skill group distributions and six global megatrend signals. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture™ Methodology White Paper for full details.

Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Energy & Natural Resources

Day in the life

A typical day as a aviation meteorologist

09
09:00 · Morning
forecast meteorological conditions
Conduct surveys of meteorological conditions; prepare weather forecast for airport.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
plan procurement of meteorological equipment
Plan and organise the ordering and purchase of appropriate meteorological equipment and tools required for weather forecasting.
12
12:00 · Midday
prepare forecasts for take-off and landing
Prepare accurate forecasts of climatic conditions for the take off and landing of aircraft; take into account parameters such as temperature, wind direction, and wind speed.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
advise aircraft in hazardous conditions
Recommend the most effective course of action to assist aircraft in hazardous conditions.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
monitor performance of meteorological equipment
Monitor the performance of meteorological forecasting equipment.
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
provide quality assurance for meteorological services+H40
Develop operating procedures for meteorological services; provide quality assurance and pursue continuous improvement of service.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Adobe PhotoshopAircraft noise monitoring system softwareApache HTTP ServerDecision Support Technologies PropworksExtensible markup language XMLFileMaker ProGround transportation management systemInternet Protocol Television SystemsIntuit QuickBooksLinuxMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft operating systemMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordOperations scheduling software
Essential skills
monitoring environmental conditions
  • collect weather-related data

    Gather data from satellites, radars, remote sensors, and weather stations in order to obtain information about weather conditions and phenomena.

  • prepare forecasts for take-off and landing

    Prepare accurate forecasts of climatic conditions for the take off and landing of aircraft; take into account parameters such as temperature, wind direction, and wind speed.

  • use specialised computer models for weather forecasting

    Make short-term and long-term weather forecasts applying physical and mathematical formulae; understand specialised computer modelling applications.

  • use meteorological tools to forecast meteorological conditions

    Use meteorological data and tools such as weather facsimile machines, weather charts and computer terminals, to anticipate weather conditions.

  • provide reports on routine meteorological observations

    Provide local routine reports for dissemination at the airport of origin including information on parameters such as wind direction and speed, visibility, runway visual range, cloud volume, and type, air temperature, etc.

  • analyse weather forecast

    Analyse weather forecasts and the information provided on meteorological conditions, such as wind forces, atmospheric structures, clouds, and visibility. Constantly monitor weather conditions to maintain the validity of the forecast. Provide analyses depending on the requirements of various different industries and service providers. Evaluate routine air observations.

coaching and mentoring
  • coach employees

    Maintain and improve employees' performance by coaching individuals or groups how to optimise specific methods, skills or abilities, using adapted coaching styles and methods. Tutor newly recruited employees and assist them in the learning of new business systems.

managing, gathering and storing digital data
  • perform data analysis

    Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.

communicating with colleagues and clients
  • use different communication channels

    Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

working in teams
  • work in an aviation team

    Work confidently in a group in general aviation services, in which each individual operates in their own area of responsibility to reach a common goal, such as a good customer interaction, air safety, and aircraft maintenance.

developing solutions
  • adapt to changing situations

    Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.

advising on business or operational matters
  • advise aircraft in hazardous conditions

    Recommend the most effective course of action to assist aircraft in hazardous conditions.

analysing scientific and medical data
  • review meteorological forecast data

    Revise estimated meteorological parameters. Solve gaps between real-time conditions and estimated conditions.

Skill DNA

Skill DNA

Work personality traits and values that define this role

Key traits you need
Dependability Integrity Attention to Detail Stress Tolerance Cooperation Adaptability/Flexibility Leadership Independence Initiative Achievement/Effort Persistence Analytical Thinking Self-Control Concern for Others Social Orientation Innovation
Key rewards you can expect
AchievementWorking Condit…RecognitionRelationshipsSupportIndependence
Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What specific types of weather phenomena do aviation meteorologists focus on?
Aviation meteorologists concentrate on weather elements directly impacting flight safety, including visibility, wind speed and direction, cloud cover, precipitation (rain, snow, ice), and the potential for turbulence or wind shear. They also monitor conditions like fog and low ceilings that affect airport operations.
What skills are most important for success in this role?
Strong analytical skills are essential for interpreting weather data. Excellent communication skills are needed to clearly convey forecasts and warnings. Attention to detail is crucial, as even small errors can have significant consequences. Familiarity with meteorological instruments and software is also important.
Are aviation meteorologists typically employed directly by airlines or airports, or are there other employment options?
This occupation is primarily an employment-based role. You’ll most commonly find aviation meteorologists working directly for airlines, airport authorities, or national meteorological services. Opportunities may also exist with aviation consulting firms.