The Royal Meteorological Society`s role in amateur meteorology

The Royal Meteorological Society’s role in amateur meteorology
Chris Holcroft
Chris
Holcroft
Chief Executive
The presentation
The presentation
What is an amateur meteorologist?
Are they all the same?
Are they all the same?
What proportion of members are amateurs?
What does RMetS offer the amateur g
meteorologist?
• What other things could RMetS offer ?
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Definitions
• Meteorology = the branch of science concerned with th
the processes and phenomena of the d h
f th
atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather (Oxford English Dictionary)
( f
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y)
• Amateur Meteorologist – a term in use for a long time! ((“Confessions
Confessions of an Amateur Meteorologist
of an Amateur Meteorologist” Weather, March 1963)
Weather March 1963)
– Like a professional, drawn to meteorology
– Like a professional, has a focus of activity
p
y
– Like a professional, will be concerned with quality of work & accuracy
– Like a professional, their work contributes to national and Like a professional their work contributes to national and
international programmes
– Unlike a professional, meteorology is not their primary income source
So, that considered, are all amateurs the same then?
Not at all!
Not at all!
• SSome are retired professionals still pursuing an i d
f i
l ill
i
interest in the weather
• Some are avid weather observers
• Some are keen weather photographers
p
g p
• Some volunteer for work with RMetS and other groups
• Some simply enjoy the publications • Some pursue academic and professional training
Some pursue academic and professional training
• etc
Some occupations
Some occupations
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Avionics Technician
o cs ec c a
Biomedical Scientist
Accountant
Gardener
Interior Designer
Carpenter
Airline Pilot
Airline Pilot
Cider Maker
Vegetable Grower
Farmer
Chartered Surveyor
Tax Consultant
IT Manager
Electrician
Pathologist
g
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Ca e o e o e
Care Home Worker
School Teacher
Vicar
Chartered Civil Engineer
Chartered Civil Engineer
Railway Signaller
Risk Manager
Investment Banker
Investment Banker
Journalist & Writer
Psychologist
Merchant Navy Captain
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PCSO
Broadcast Engineer
Hydrologist
Embassy Secretary
Solicitor
RMetS UK Membership by type UK Membership by type
11%
33%
Amateur
Professional
Academic
33%
Unassigned
23%
Our role in Amateur Meteorology l
To advance the understanding
of weather and climate, the science and its
applications, for the benefit of all
Bringing together the Amateur Community
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y
Informing the Amateur Community
Sharing information with the Amateur Community
Linking with other meteorological bodies (COL, CAS, TORRO, etc.,)
• Supporting projects that involve Amateurs (WOW)
Supporting projects that involve Amateurs (WOW)
• Listening to and representing the Amateur Community
• Maintaining the heritage and history of Meteorology
a ta
g t e e tage a d sto y o eteo o ogy
• Advancing the science for the benefit of all
All are benefits
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Examples
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The Amateur Conference
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f
Saturday National Meetings
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g
Regional Meetings
Occasional Papers
Occasional Papers
The RMetS website
theWeather Club
Weather Magazine
Weather Magazine
WOW website
Value to Amateurs?
Value to Amateurs?
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“The RMetS
“The
RMetS membership is of value to me because it puts me in touch with membership is of value to me because it puts me in touch with
the wider professional world of meteorology and topical issues in weather and climate. The journal Weather is often a fascinating read, and I look fforward to it arriving on the doormat each month.
g
The Weather Log and g
Weather Images pages are invaluable ...”.
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I have particularly valued the residential conferences that have taken place p
y
f
p
in recent years, since these offer the opportunity to explore topics and chat to other enthusiasts. The Field Course at Borrowdale in the Lake District in September 2005 was excellent (please could the Society consider putting on another of these in the future) ”.
on another of these in the future).
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I have valued the support of the Society in furthering my own education and learning by lending support in the study of the OU module in
and learning by lending support in the study of the OU module in meteorology which I have just completed”.
What other things could we offer?
What other things could we offer?
Thank you
Thank you
www.rmets.org
www.theweatherclub.org.uk
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th l b
k
www.metlink.org
wow.metoffice.gov.uk