Jump to content

Lixion Avila: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
picture
Changing short description from "American meteorologist" to "American meteorologist (born 1950)"
 
(35 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American meteorologist (born 1950)}}
[[File:Lixion Avila (meteorologist).png|thumb|right|Avila in 2017]]
{{infobox person/Wikidata | fetchwikidata=ALL|list=hlist}}
'''Lixion Avila''' is a [[weather forecaster]] with the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC). He has been a senior [[tropical cyclone|hurricane]] specialist<ref>[http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbbertha0706sbjul06,0,5536425.story Meteorological Disasters - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> there since 1987 and is the longest-tenured senior specialist.
'''Lixion A. Avila''' (born November 25, 1950) is a retired [[weather forecaster]], formerly working at the [[National Hurricane Center]] (NHC). He was a hurricane specialist and senior hurricane specialist from 1987 to 2020.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|date=April 30, 2020|accessdate=April 30, 2020|title=Dr. Lixion Avila|url=https://www.weather.gov/careers/meteorology-avila-lixion}}</ref><ref name=sun1>{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbbertha0706sbjul06,0,5536425.story |title=Bertha predicted to become a hurricane|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711034538/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/southflorida/sfl-flbbertha0706sbjul06,0,5536425.story |archivedate=July 11, 2008 |first=Ken |last=Kaye | journal=South Florida Sun-Sentinel}}</ref>


== Biography ==
Avila was born and raised in [[Cuba]].<ref name="Hutt">{{cite news|last1=Hutt|first1=Katherine|last2=Cabbage|first2=Michael|title=Forecaster has clear skies on a return home to Cuba|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-05-15/news/9805150078_1_avila-s-mother-havana-cuba-s-political-system|accessdate=June 6, 2016|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=May 15, 1998}}</ref> He came to the U.S. as an adult<ref>[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/26595249/ns/weather/t/cuban-born-forecaster-leaves-emotion-outside/#.V1XZ1ldTqWU Cuban-born forecaster leaves emotion outside], [[NBC News]], September 7, 2008. Accessed June 6, 2016</ref> after obtaining an undergraduate degree from the [[University of Havana]] in 1973.<ref name="bio"/> He received a PhD in Atmospheric Science from the [[University of Miami]] in 1993.<ref name="bio">[http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/staff/Avila_bio_2015.pdf Lixion Avila, Ph.D., Senior Hurricane Specialist National Hurricane Center,] (staff profiler page), [[National Hurricane Center]]. Accessed June 6, 2016.</ref>
Avila was born and raised in [[Cuba]].<ref name="Hutt">{{cite news|last1=Hutt|first1=Katherine|last2=Cabbage|first2=Michael|title=Forecaster has clear skies on a return home to Cuba|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-05-15/news/9805150078_1_avila-s-mother-havana-cuba-s-political-system|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927015148/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-05-15/news/9805150078_1_avila-s-mother-havana-cuba-s-political-system|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2013|accessdate=June 6, 2016|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=May 15, 1998}}</ref> He studied and received his Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the [[University of Havana]] in 1973, then worked for Cuba's weather service for seven years.<ref name="Hutt"/><ref name="bio">{{cite web |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/staff/Avila_bio_2018.pdf |title =Lixion Avila, Ph.D., Senior Hurricane Specialist National Hurricane Center|work=Staff profiler page| publisher=[[National Hurricane Center]]|accessdate= June 6, 2016}}</ref>


Avila was not able to study further in Cuba and with some help from his mother's family emigrated to the United States.<ref name="Hutt"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26595249 |title=Cuban-born forecaster leaves emotion outside|journal=[[NBC News]]|date= September 7, 2008|access-date=June 6, 2016}}</ref>
He is the only [[Cuban American]] specialist on the staff and is bilingual in [[English language|English]] and [[Spanish language|Spanish]].


He was hired as a consultant for the National Hurricane Center in 1983, providing warning information in Spanish for the radio and television press. He obtained his MSc degree in 1987 at the [[University of Miami]] and became a forecaster at the NHC, graduating to hurricane specialist in 1989. Continuing his studies further, he obtained a PhD in 1993. Avila represented the National Hurricane Center at the [[World Meteorological Organization]], especially for the coordination and training in the Caribbean and Central American region.<ref name="bio"/>
Avila generally forecasts with a quirky personal touch. Similar to his NHC counterpart [[James Franklin (meteorologist)|James Franklin]], Avila occasionally expresses his opinion or sense of humor, often in the discussion areas of advisories. For instance during 2005's record-breaking [[Hurricane Epsilon]], he expressed his frustration at the hurricane's refusal to weaken despite repeated predictions that it would do so: "There are no clear reasons...and I am not going to make one up...to explain the recent strengthening of Epsilon and I am just describing the facts."<ref>{{cite web|last=Avila|first=Lixion|title=Hurricane Epsilon Discussion 21|date=2005-12-04|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/dis/al292005.discus.021.shtml|accessdate=2011-08-31}}</ref>


Avila retired from the NHC on April 30, 2020, after working at the agency for 33 years.<ref>{{cite tweet|author=National Hurricane Center|user=NWSNHC|date=April 30, 2020|accessdate=April 30, 2020|title=Today we announce the retirement of senior hurricane specialist Dr. Lixion Avila. After 33 years of federal service, all of it at NHC, he's ready to enjoy the next chapter in his life. We will miss our friend and colleague, and wish him well!|number=1255862512492228608}}</ref>
Avila is a Fellow of the [[American Meteorological Society]].<ref>[https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/about-ams/ams-organization-and-administration/list-of-fellows/ List of Fellows], [[American Meteorological Society]]. Accessed June 6, 2016.</ref> In 2000 Avila received a [[NOAA Administrator's Award]].<ref>[http://www.wfm.noaa.gov/awards/admins/admins_2000.html 2000 NOAA Administrator’s Award], NOAA Workforce Management Office, [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]. Accessed June 6, 2016</ref>

==Awards==
Avila is a Fellow of the [[American Meteorological Society]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ametsoc.org/ams/index.cfm/about-ams/ams-organization-and-administration/list-of-fellows/ |title=List of Fellows |publisher= [[American Meteorological Society]]|accessdate=June 6, 2016}}</ref> In 2000, Avila received a [[NOAA Administrator's Award]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wfm.noaa.gov/awards/admins/admins_2000.html |title=2000 NOAA Administrator's Award|author = NOAA Workforce Management Office|publisher =[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|accessdate= June 6, 2016}}</ref> In 2005, the National Weather Service bestowed him the Isaac M. Cline National Award for Outreach.<ref name="bio"/>

==Style==
Avila generally forecasts with a quirky personal touch. Similar to his NHC counterpart [[James Franklin (meteorologist)|James Franklin]], Avila occasionally expresses his opinion or sense of humor, often in the discussion areas of advisories. For instance, during 2005's record-breaking [[Hurricane Epsilon (2005)|Hurricane Epsilon]], he expressed his frustration at the hurricane's refusal to weaken despite repeated predictions that it would do so: "There are no clear reasons...and I am not going to make one up...to explain the recent strengthening of Epsilon and I am just describing the facts." He further signed off this discussion with, "...Epsilon will likely become a remnant low. I heard that before about Epsilon... Haven't you?"<ref>{{cite web|last=Avila|first=Lixion|title=Hurricane Epsilon Discussion 21|date=December 4, 2005|publisher=National Hurricane Center|url=http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2005/dis/al292005.discus.021.shtml|accessdate=August 31, 2011}}</ref>

While describing [[Hurricane Leslie (2018)|Hurricane Leslie]], in 2018, he quipped, "It is difficult to add more to the discussion about a cyclone that has moved very little during the past few days and has not changed significantly in structure either."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2018/al13/al132018.discus.031.shtml?|title=Hurricane LESLIE|publisher=National Hurricane Center|accessdate=October 9, 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 15: Line 25:
== External links==
== External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name|nm0043157}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Avila, Lixion}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Avila, Lixion}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:American meteorologists]]
[[Category:American meteorologists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Cuban emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:National Weather Service people]]

[[Category:Fellows of the American Meteorological Society]]

{{US-scientist-stub}}
{{climate-bio-stub}}

Latest revision as of 00:04, 17 September 2024

Lixion Avila
Avila in 2017
Born25 November 1950 Edit this on Wikidata
Cuba Edit this on Wikidata
Alma mater
Occupation
Employer

Lixion A. Avila (born November 25, 1950) is a retired weather forecaster, formerly working at the National Hurricane Center (NHC). He was a hurricane specialist and senior hurricane specialist from 1987 to 2020.[1][2]

Biography

[edit]

Avila was born and raised in Cuba.[3] He studied and received his Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Havana in 1973, then worked for Cuba's weather service for seven years.[3][4]

Avila was not able to study further in Cuba and with some help from his mother's family emigrated to the United States.[3][5]

He was hired as a consultant for the National Hurricane Center in 1983, providing warning information in Spanish for the radio and television press. He obtained his MSc degree in 1987 at the University of Miami and became a forecaster at the NHC, graduating to hurricane specialist in 1989. Continuing his studies further, he obtained a PhD in 1993. Avila represented the National Hurricane Center at the World Meteorological Organization, especially for the coordination and training in the Caribbean and Central American region.[4]

Avila retired from the NHC on April 30, 2020, after working at the agency for 33 years.[6]

Awards

[edit]

Avila is a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society.[7] In 2000, Avila received a NOAA Administrator's Award.[8] In 2005, the National Weather Service bestowed him the Isaac M. Cline National Award for Outreach.[4]

Style

[edit]

Avila generally forecasts with a quirky personal touch. Similar to his NHC counterpart James Franklin, Avila occasionally expresses his opinion or sense of humor, often in the discussion areas of advisories. For instance, during 2005's record-breaking Hurricane Epsilon, he expressed his frustration at the hurricane's refusal to weaken despite repeated predictions that it would do so: "There are no clear reasons...and I am not going to make one up...to explain the recent strengthening of Epsilon and I am just describing the facts." He further signed off this discussion with, "...Epsilon will likely become a remnant low. I heard that before about Epsilon... Haven't you?"[9]

While describing Hurricane Leslie, in 2018, he quipped, "It is difficult to add more to the discussion about a cyclone that has moved very little during the past few days and has not changed significantly in structure either."[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dr. Lixion Avila". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. April 30, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Kaye, Ken. "Bertha predicted to become a hurricane". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on July 11, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Hutt, Katherine; Cabbage, Michael (May 15, 1998). "Forecaster has clear skies on a return home to Cuba". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c "Lixion Avila, Ph.D., Senior Hurricane Specialist National Hurricane Center" (PDF). Staff profiler page. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  5. ^ "Cuban-born forecaster leaves emotion outside". NBC News. September 7, 2008. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  6. ^ National Hurricane Center [@NWSNHC] (April 30, 2020). "Today we announce the retirement of senior hurricane specialist Dr. Lixion Avila. After 33 years of federal service, all of it at NHC, he's ready to enjoy the next chapter in his life. We will miss our friend and colleague, and wish him well!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 30, 2020 – via Twitter.
  7. ^ "List of Fellows". American Meteorological Society. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  8. ^ NOAA Workforce Management Office. "2000 NOAA Administrator's Award". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  9. ^ Avila, Lixion (December 4, 2005). "Hurricane Epsilon Discussion 21". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
  10. ^ "Hurricane LESLIE". National Hurricane Center. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
[edit]