Description
Analyze and forecast precipitation, snowmelt, and hydrologic impacts by integrating meteorological and hydrologic observations, radar and satellite data, and coupled models to produce quantitative precipitation forecasts, river and flash-flood outlooks, and water-supply guidance for agencies and the public.
- • Broadcast flood watches, warnings, and hydrologic statements via media and to emergency managers and water agencies.
- • Gather and quality-control precipitation, snowpack, soil moisture, streamflow, reservoir, radar, satellite, and model data for forecasts.
- • Prepare basin and river stage forecasts, flash-flood guidance, and water-supply outlooks for government, utilities, and other stakeholders.
- • Measure and verify rainfall and snowfall, snow water equivalent, and soil moisture using gauges, snow surveys, and in situ sensors.
- • Direct hydrometeorological forecasting operations at Weather Forecast Offices or River Forecast Centers.
- • Collect and reconcile precipitation reports from spotters, cooperative networks, and automated stations for event analysis.
- • Conduct numerical weather and hydrologic simulations to predict runoff, snowmelt, and flooding at regional and local scales.
- • Design or refine radar QPE, bias-correction, data assimilation, or remote-sensing methods for hydrometeorological applications.
- • Analyze hydroclimate datasets using statistical methods, ensemble prediction systems, and hydrologic modeling.
- • Conduct watershed precipitation-runoff assessment, integration, and validation studies.
- • Create GIS visualizations and inundation maps showing historical and projected flood, drought, and water-supply conditions.
- • Estimate climate change impacts on extreme precipitation, snowpack, drought frequency, and river flow for specific basins.
- • Formulate hydrologic predictions by integrating meteorological, hydrologic, land-surface, and cryospheric data.
- • Perform managerial duties, including scheduling, training, staffing, and performance analysis of forecast operations.
- • Consult with emergency managers, dam and reservoir operators, transportation agencies, and researchers on forecast use and interpretation.
- • Teach or contribute to training on hydrometeorology, flood forecasting, and hydroclimate variability.
- • Analyze historical precipitation, snow, and streamflow records to detect trends and support forecast calibration.
- • Prepare hydrologic situation reports, hydrographs, and maps for distribution or broadcast using computer graphics tools.
- • Apply hydrometeorological knowledge to flood mitigation, drought planning, reservoir operations, and water-quality protection.
- • Develop and implement weather-hydrologic coupled models and decision-support tools for forecasting.
- • Interpret model output, radar, satellite, and gauge analyses to predict short- and long-range flood and drought risk.
- • Conduct research on precipitation processes, land-atmosphere interactions, atmospheric rivers, and extreme hydrometeor events.
- • Prepare scientific reports, publications, or technical documents on hydrometeorology and hydroclimate.
- • Assess the hydrologic impacts of land use, wildfires, and infrastructure or industrial projects on runoff and flood hazards.
- • Communicate with the public about rainfall, flooding, drought, and preparedness; answer questions during events.
- • Develop scripts, dashboards, or software to collect, process, and present hydrometeorological data and forecasts.
- • Develop and deliver training for forecasters and partners on tools, techniques, and procedures for hydrologic hazards.
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
