Lixion Avila

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]

Lixion Avila
Avila in 2017
Born25 November 1950  (age 70)
Cuba 
Alma mater
Occupation
Employer

Biography

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

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

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
  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. Hutt, Katherine; Cabbage, Michael (May 15, 1998). "Forecaster has clear skies on a return home to Cuba". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  4. "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.
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