24 Meteorologist Interview Questions (with Answers)

1.

What are you most nervous of in this job?

The candidate should respond honestly with any concerns, including salary, moving costs, or hours worked. They should mention why they are concerned with this issue and what would make them feel more comfortable about accepting the position.

Christina's Answer

"I am worried about moving to a city I have never lived in before because I do not know anyone here and am unfamiliar with the area. However, I look forward to exploring it and I hope I become friends with other employees here so they can show me around."

2.

Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

The candidate should speak honestly about what they are glad they have accomplished, and what they wish they have done. However, the candidate should always be positive about accomplishing those things in the future and should be forward-looking to their achievements to come.

Christina's Answer

"While I never thought my career would have brought me to all the cities and states I have lived in, I am glad I had those experiences. However, I look forward to finding one place I am excited to stay in for a long time, and I feel I can continue to pursue my dreams and keep advancing in meteorology at this station."

3.

How do you perform on live television during severe weather events?

A good response to this question is for the candidate to tell the interviewer how their command of the science behind meteorology and their mastery of being on live television makes them feel comfortable in any situation. The candidate should respond by explaining to the interviewer their confidence level in their forecasts, and how that confidence leads them to perform their best on air in any given situation. A candidate also may mention an example from previous work and how they potentially saved lives by giving continuous coverage to a severe weather event without instilling fear into viewers.

Christina's Answer

"I am very calm under pressure during severe weather events. Although there is so much to do during these times, like continuously checking the satellite and radars and making sure I am delivering the most up-to-date and correct information, I am able to do so quickly in between my hits. I enjoy the rush and excitement of severe weather, and do not sound rushed or panicked, even though the public may be scared."

4.

What sources do you use to assemble your forecast?

A meteorologist should respond to this question with their general workflow day-to-day when they come into the office and produce a forecast. They should mention all of the credible sources they use to figure out temperatures, and mention a variety of maps they use to see how the weather will be changing and what that means for the viewing area. They should mention sources from both local radars and national ones, so they show they have an understanding of how weather throughout the country affects the local weather and climate.

Christina's Answer

"When I first get in for my shift, I go to the National Weather Service website to check the forecast discussion to see if there are any severe weather warnings or advisories posted for the area. I next check the NAM, GFS, FUS, MOS and MEX text data for at least three major cities in our viewing area to come up with my temperatures, winds, and conditions for the next seven days. I also check the NCEP models and a frontal map to see where the high and low pressures are surrounding are area and how they will affect us."

5.

What are your benefits expectations?

View All 24 Meteorologist Answers

Sign up to access our library of 50,000+ Answers,
plus coaches for one-on-one support, so you can interview more confidently.

Meteorologist Interview Questions

What are you most nervous of in this job?

Meteorologist Interview Questions

What are you most nervous of in this job?

Have you progressed in your career as you have expected?

How do you perform on live television during severe weather events?

What sources do you use to assemble your forecast?

What are your benefits expectations?

What will you add to the weather department?

Why did you choose to become a forecaster instead of another type of climatologist?

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

How would you react if you made a mistake on-air?

What do you know about our local weather?

What are your salary expectations?

If you could start your career over again, what direction would you take?

How do you respond to pressure at work?

Have you ever taken a role in a company that hasn't fit into your long-term career plans?

How would you respond to working extra shifts?

Who do you look up to in the field of meteorology?

Why did you choose to be in front of the camera?

Why did you choose to be a meteorologist?

How well do you work with an anchor team?

If you could change one aspect of how our television station covers weather, what would it be?

How familiar are you with creating and editing weather graphics?

What is your favorite part of the job?

What are some of the challenges you have faced as a meteorologist?

Why is this job right for you at this time in your career?