Cuban Faces 2017: José Rubiera Torres, Meteorologist

José Rubiera Torres

14ymedio bigger14ymedio, Havana, 26 December 2017 — Everything pointed to the fact that Hurricane Irma would be the first in many years that Cubans would experience without the company of José Rubiera. Born in San Antonio, Jaruco in 1946, and for many years Director of the Cuban Institute Forecast Center, Rubiera has often commented that hurricanes fascinate him. He returned from a trip abroad to be with the island’s TV viewers during the passage of Irma in September.

Rubiera was missing during the first days when the storm was approaching the island, but was finally seen again facing the map with the pointer in hand and his deliberate way of speaking, a return that generated great stir in social networks and a certain relief in an audience accustomed to his warnings and his measured comments, so different from the tense attitude of political discourse on the Island.

In addition to being a tireless researcher, he is passionate about photography. For his work, he received the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Physical Sciences granted by Marta Abreu de Las Villas Central University. He is the author of numerous scientific articles, a textbook and brochures related to tropical meteorology.

Since the end of this year’s hurricane season, the experienced meteorologist continues to appear on the small screen giving the routine weather report without major shocks and transmitting to the public the confidence he has gained. However, for many people, the name “Rubiera” is synonymous with the word “hurricane.”

_________________

The 14ymedio team is committed to serious journalism that reflects the reality of deep Cuba. Thank you for joining us on this long road. We invite you to continue supporting us, but this time by becoming a member of 14ymedio. Together we can continue to transform journalism in Cuba.