![]() One week after graduating from Lyndon State College in Vermont in 1995, Fitzgibbon packed her bags for her first on-air job in Bismarck, North Dakota. “Had there been such a thing as social media and Twitter, I’m sure I would have been sending those amounts in to the local meteorologist,” she said. Fitzgibbon even maintained a journal of snow measurements that she would share with her disinterested friends. “I was always very curious about the weather, and I was obsessed with snow,” she said. Finally, we have our first female chief meteorologist in this market.”ĭecades before breaking barriers in Boston, Fitzgibbon was just a young girl growing up near Portland, Maine with an eye to the sky. “That is clearly not the standard anymore. It’s just kind of the way it always was,” explained Fitzgibbon. “Traditionally, a chief meteorologist has been male, and traditionally, the chief meteorologist works nights Monday through Friday. Researchers found that women make up 29 percent of all broadcast meteorologist positions, but only eight percent claim the title of chief. ![]() In 2018, the American Meteorological Society, of which Fitzgibbon is a member, studied the underrepresentation of female meteorologists in leadership roles. Fitzgibbon is the first female chief meteorologist in the Boston market, a significant chapter in her career and a celebration of women in the field of broadcast meteorology. WCVB announced Fitzgibbon’s promotion following the retirement of veteran meteorologist Harvey Leonard. I am involved in what they’re doing,” said the proud mom of two high school athletes, “I stay up as late as I can with them before I have to go to bed to prepare for the next day. “ have grown up with their meteorologist mom who gets up and goes to work in the middle of the night, but then I’m available. and dedicates the remainder of her day to her family. ![]() After a team meeting at 9:30 a.m., Fitzgibbon goes back on camera for promos and the Midday newscast. Then, she does live cut-ins for ABC’s Good Morning America through nine o’clock. Fitzgibbon, who appears on air every five to ten minutes, creates and updates her own weather graphics throughout the fast-paced newscast, which ends at 7 a.m. During her short commute, she’s on the phone with her EyeOpener producer, who is busy building the rundown for the live newscast that begins at 4:30 a.m. Fitzgibbon said she allows herself two taps of the snooze button on her iPhone before getting ready to head out the door and make her way into the newsroom in Needham. Her day had started at 1:44 in the morning amid heavy downpours overnight. Behind her was a bustling newsroom getting ready for the noon broadcast. “It is something that I never thought I would see.”įitzgibbon, an Armenian American and native New Englander, sat down with the Weekly for a virtual interview almost a week into her new role leading the station’s StormTeam 5. “It’s a big honor,” expressed Fitzgibbon. After 27 years in the industry, she has been promoted to chief meteorologist at WCVB Channel 5. Andy is more than a mentor to me, he is a great friend," said Alicia Roman.WCVB Chief Meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon (Photo provided by WCVB Channel 5)Ĭindy Fitzgibbon has made history in the Boston television news market. I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside one of the most professional and knowledgeable meteorologists, not only in Chicago, but in our field. "I very much realize, in my new role, how important it is to provide local viewers with an accurate forecast and maybe a laugh or two. Her experience has played a key role in our weather team’s commitment to keep Chicagoans safe," said Frank Whittaker, Station Manager and Vice President of NBC 5 News. Meanwhile, we’re thrilled Alicia is taking up the morning newscasts. "Andy has been an important member of the NBC 5 Storm Team and he’s one of the nicest people in the business. Alicia joined the NBC 5 Storm Team 10 years ago from Indianapolis and was awarded the AMS Seal of Approval in 2009. Andy first joined NBC Chicago in 1994 and later became the primary weekday morning meteorologist in 2003.Īlicia Roman will take over the role as primary meteorologist for NBC 5 News Today at 4 a.m.-7 a.m. His radio and television career spans nearly 40 years. ![]() Andy is one of Chicago’s most respected meteorologists who has covered it all - snowstorms, tornadoes, floods, winds, heat waves and droughts. NBC 5 announced on Monday that weekday morning meteorologist Andy Avalos is set to retire at the end of August.
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