Institute for Applied and Operational Meteorology
2008 / 2009 Fellowship Program

The Institute for Applied and Operational Meteorology Fellowship Program for 2008 and 2009 is now taking applications.

Advance your career. Take your knowledge and understanding of atmospheric science to a whole new level.

Experience rigorous training - solve real-world problems in real-time.


The 2008 / 2009 Fellowship Program is designed to increase your diagnostic and analytical skills by working real meteorological problems in real-time.

Analysis and Weather Forecasting. You may be a good weather forecaster and good at weather analysis, but we guarantee that you will be challenged in ways you never have before. You will study events as they unfold and you will have to predict their outcome in real-time. We will push you to think about new elements, challenge your knowledge and understanding of weather forecasting and analysis, and force you to make predictions about weather elements you never though you'd have to make.

You may end the day completely exhausted, but you will have learned so much more than any text book could possibly teach you. During your fellowship you will develop the skills you need to quickly and accurately diagnose a situation.

Applied and Operational Meteorology. What do they mean to you? Perhaps not what they mean to us. We'll take a look at climate change, alternative energy, and real-world events that are impacted by weather. We'll challenge you to dig deep into data, to make ethical decisions about what you know and what you think you know, and to pull information out of the depths of what seems like a complete lack of data. If you want to think like an expert, then you must take this fellowship.

Weather analysis
Satellite interpretation
Doppler radar interpretation
Numerical model bias
Forecast philosophy
Rare event forecasting
Preparation of weather forecasts
Mesoscale forecasting
Long range outlooks
Specialized forecasts
Tropical Weather
Looking behind the raw numbers
Best Practices

The 2008 / 2009 Fellowship. When you leave this fellowship you will not be the same meteorologist as when you crossed the threshold. We want only the very best scientists -- or those who think they are or can be the very best -- to apply for these fellowships. The fellowship is very difficult, so we ask that if all you want to be is "okay", please do not waste your time by applying.

Develop critical thinking. Develop critical skills.

Each day - Monday through Friday - starts with a weather briefing. Beyond that, every day is different. You may work on wind energy projects, severe weather events, hurricanes or go through reams of data. There is very little "down time". You'll have time to eat and sleep and to experience some of the recreational opportunities of the Black Hills -- but that free time will be earned and well deserved.

Minimum requirements. The 2008 / 2009 Fellowships are open to any person who holds at least a BS/BA in meteorology or atmospheric science. The minimum fellowship is one month - we strongly recommend three months. You can start your fellowship on the first Monday of any month because this program is perpetual. You will be learning from and working with your instructors and other fellows.

Your Fellowship certificate will reflect your ability and skill - and you will be able to use us as a reference.

Register today. Space is limited. We like to keep a relatively low fellowship-instructor/mentor ratio of no more than 10:1.

Application Process
  • Make written application, providing a resume, transcript and a cover letter explaining what you want to get out of the program.
  • Indicate the date on which you want to start your fellowship and two alternate dates.
  • Provide at least three professional or academic references and at least two letters of recommendation.
  • The registration fee is $145. If you are accepted into the fellowship program you will be enrolled in two online courses which will lay the groundwork for the fellowship.
  • The cost of the fellowship is $1973 for each 4 week increment (200 hours). This fee covers all material and instructional time. Housing is extra.

You can begin your fellowship on the first Monday of
2008: September, October, November, December.
2009: January, February, March, April, May, June, September, October, November, December.
Rapid Weather, 1601 Mt Rushmore Rd #4-217, Rapid City SD 57701 USA