Definition
Scientists who study the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather, and who analyze observations and computer models to forecast conditions such as wind, temperature, precipitation, visibility, and storms.
Plain English
Weather scientists. They study how the atmosphere behaves and predict what the weather will do.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter meteorologists indirectly through aviation weather reports, forecasts, briefings, and weather products used before and during flight.
Derivation
From the Greek 'meteoron,' meaning 'something high in the sky,' plus '-logist,' meaning 'one who studies.' So a meteorologist is literally 'one who studies things in the sky' — which originally meant clouds, rain, and other atmospheric events, not meteors in the modern sense.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots rely on their forecasts to choose safe routes, decide on delays, and avoid weather hazards.
Intuition Check
Meteorologists are not just people who present weather on television. In aviation, the word means trained weather specialists whose work helps pilots understand flight conditions.
Example Sentence 1
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service issue the forecasts pilots see in their preflight weather briefings.
Example Sentence 2
Meteorologists update conditions hourly so pilots can adjust their flight plans if needed.