Meteorologist

I had wondered for some time what makes a meteorologist. Wikipedia tells us that they are scientists who have specialized knowledge in meteorology or other atmospheric science. A degree in such science will do, but is not required. The American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association both have certification procedures to give you some bona fides. The weather forecasters on TV may or may not be meteorologists, but who knows what background each really has. There's nothing that says a mathematician or a linguist cannot gain the specialized training for such a designation. And there's nothing that says you have to be a meteorologist to give the weather forecast. I did it all the time in radio, with no specialized knowledge whatsoever. This comic is from Randall Munroe at xkcd.