What profession involves the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate?

The study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, which encompass weather and climate, falls under the field of meteorology. Meteorologists are scientists who specialize in understanding atmospheric conditions, utilizing various tools and models to predict weather patterns and to analyze climate changes over time. They observe and interpret data related to temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, and other meteorological elements.

In contrast, geologists focus on the Earth's solid materials, including rocks and soil, and study geological processes. Paleontologists investigate the history of life on Earth through fossils, while cosmologists examine the universe's origins, structure, and eventual fate, often involving concepts far beyond just Earth's atmosphere. Thus, the specific focus on atmospheric phenomena distinctly aligns only with meteorology. This is why the correct answer is meteorologist.