Education · 1 of 4

The path

This is a physics and math degree that happens to be about the sky. You cannot skip the calculus.

1. 1

   High school

   Grades 11 and 12

   Take the hardest math you can get to, plus physics. Calculus before you arrive at college is a real advantage.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree in meteorology or atmospheric science

   4 years

   Roughly 100 universities offer one. Penn State, the University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M University and the University of Wisconsin are among the biggest.

3. 3

   Hit the federal course requirements

   Inside the degree

   The National Weather Service asks for at least 24 semester hours of meteorology or atmospheric science, at least 6 semester hours of physics and at least 3 semester hours of differential equations. Check this against your degree plan in year one, not year four.

4. 4

   Internships

   Summers

   A summer at a forecast office, a research lab or a television station. This is how most people get their first job.

5. 5

   First job, or a master's

   0 to 2 more years

   Operational forecasting and broadcast work start with a bachelor's. Research, modeling and most federal science roles want a master's or a doctorate.