Final answer:
A meteorologist needs to understand Earth's hydrosphere to effectively forecast weather patterns, such as humidity, precipitation, and storms. The hydrosphere plays a critical role in short-term meteorological phenomena, affecting public safety and economic activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
A meteorologist would need an understanding of Earth's hydrosphere to forecast weather patterns (b). The hydrosphere includes all the water on Earth's surface and is an essential component of the weather system, influencing aspects such as humidity, precipitation, and storm systems. Their work is integral in the understanding and prediction of short-term weather phenomena, which plays a crucial role in public safety and economic planning.
Meteorology, climatology, and atmospheric science are interconnected sciences where professionals study the atmosphere, atmospheric phenomena, and the effects of the atmosphere on Earth's weather. Weather forecasts are incredibly complex and rely on numerous measurements, including those from the hydrosphere, which are compiled and analyzed to predict weather patterns that significantly impact our civilization and ecosystems.