"A reasonable overall budget for living in this city is about US$1,100 or US$1,200 per month, including rent of US$500.". In addition, James was asked to join WAPI (NBC 13) in Birmingham as the principal weather anchor. That was the hardest part.". by James Spann weather tornados storms hurricanes snow ice radar | Jan 1, 2016. 40 people named James Spann found in Nashville, Chattanooga and 3 other cities. NEW! But nothing will ever beat the excitement of that night on that 250-watt radio station. James also was the winner of the AMS (American Meteorological Society) "Award for Broadcast Meteorology". You know, forgiveness is very freeing.". Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Donate to the Salvation Army Red Kettle Challenge. ", James Spann visiting Haleyville Elementary in March 2020. He has been a licensed Ham Radio operator since he was 14 and fascinated with weather all his life. So, on a Sunday night, Nov. 11, 1973, Spann made his commercial broadcasting debut. You drive past it today, it just looks like a regular house.". His father met them at the front door, Spann remembers, but didn't invite them in. James is the Chief Meteorologist for ABC 33/40. "One of the guys (from the station) called the high school office and said, 'Is there any kid out there who wants to work bad hours for minimum wage?'" James was one of the first weather anchors in the nation to earn "Certified Broadcast Meteorologist" status from the American Meteorological Society. Juliet DragosBio, Age, WZZM, Family, Husband, Net Worth, Salary, Von Miller Bio, Age, NFL, Family, Wife, Net Worth. His passion and dedication were apparent as he spoke of his schedule; it was clear that this is what he wants. "Were all here to help other people," he said. A convicted killer serving a life sentence will go before the parole board asking for an early release. Spann is the son of Max and Carolyn Spann. (Bob Carlton/bcarlton@al.com). ", Meteorologist James Spann looks out his car window at the house in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he and his mother lived from his middle school years until he finished college at the University of Alabama. Board Chairman Richard Montgomery recommended a parole review hearing again in two years. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013. He was the 33rd individual in the United States to be designated as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society. Latest severe weather updates from ABC 3340 Chief Meteorologist James Spann and The Weather Authority:1:46 a.m.The risk of severe weather has ended for Jefferson County.1:39 a.m.Heavier storms are . Perfect Paperback. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family, after having bravely battled pancreatic cancer. Not long after his father left them, Spann and his mother moved to her family's home in Ashville, in St. Clair County, but they came back to Greenville a year later. He is a past winner . We also talked about the rise of social media, and the impact it has. They scared me. James and his wife Karen have been married for 41 years, and they have two sons. LIVE: Chief Meteorologist James Spann provides the latest on the severe weather moving through the state -- MORE -- https://bit.ly/3D45txN She came to WVTM in 1977. He worked for a variety of radio stations as a news anchor and weatherman such as WSFA /Channel . James loves working with his interns, and says he looks for three key qualities when choosing anyone who works with him. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). J.B.'s impact and time commitment to James instilled in James that he wanted to help younger people the way J.B. helped him. Spann was 7 years old when his father, Max Spann, walked out on him and his mother, setting in motion a chain of circumstances that led him to Tuscaloosa and eventually into a 40-plus-year career as a meteorologist, the last 23 of which he's been at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham. One of his largest philanthropic commitments is serving as the chairman of a board of large hospital in Birmingham. In all, James has been a television weather anchor for 32 years. He won the 1985 Katy Award for Best Weathercaster from the Dallas Press Club while he was there. Smith Lumber Company in nearby Chapman. Even more fortunately - their roof miraculously stayed on their house! The presenter had been warning viewers about severe weather conditions in Alabama on WBMA-LD. Scouting Report: Sean Strickland. He and his wife make time for quality talks in the morning before he leaves for the day, and they also eat dinner together after the 6:00 PM newscast (as long as there isn't active weather in the area). He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. In 1985, the Dallas Press Club named him the best weathercaster in the Metroplex, beating out strong competition like Harold Taft of KXAS-TV and Troy Dungan of WFAA-TV. We note a few isolated showers near the Gulf Coast, but the weather is dry elsewhere. Bill Castle shot this video in 2013 pic.twitter.com/v66RKG8dho. James volunteered as an amateur radio operator while attending Tuscaloosa High School. One is national "Broadcaster of the Year" by the National Weather Association. "And the other good thing about it, I'm very motivated not to be like him," he adds. Throughout any given day, Spann, the longtime meteorologist for ABC 33/40, could be communicating with more than 1 million of his combined followers on Twitter and Facebook, preparing weather reports for upcoming broadcasts, co-hosting his weekly "WeatherBrains" podcast or driving to the one or two schools per day he still visits. His income is mainly attributed to his successful career as a meteorologist. "My wife is OK, but the tornado came right through there and its not good, its bad. Spann has worked in the field since 1978, and is often praised for his easy-to-understand and likely life-saving forecasting during the destructive 2011 Super Outbreak. ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann, however, once said it came with ample . Likewise, it was James birthday on June 6. (Photo from James Spann's "Weathering Life"). "I've been married for 38 years. The 2011 tornado still weighs heavily on Spann, not just because of the damage it caused to the city where he grew up, but because of the high number of deaths from the storms. ", As she assessed the destruction she remarked: "It's unbelievable! There is massive importance to integrity. THIS AFTERNOON: The sky is mostly sunny across South Alabama this afternoon, where temperatures are now in the mid 70s. "Obviously our landscaping is going to be a lot different now. He said: "My wife got the warning, she had a plan, she was in the shelter and shes fine. April 27 happened on his watch. Because James was dissatisfied with Foxs diet of reality shows and other programming, he joined some of his former WBRC coworkers at ABC 33/40, which was founded by merging Annistons WCFT and WJSU-TV with a new low-power repeater in Birmingham. Chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 since 1996 who received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist, Broadcaster of the Year by the National Weather Association and the Award for Broadcast Meteorology by the American Meteorological Society. End of Watch Thursday, June 17, 1954. "Thank goodness for these men, these men who stepped up to fill the gap in my life," Spann says. In a changing media landscape where news organizations constantly fight for peoples attention, Spann admits part of his obsession with work is about self-preservation, but another motivation is about still about trying to prove himself. Emmy Award winner Spann is a married man and has two kids. Nick Saban is a noted Weather Channel aficionado and was joined by meteorologist James Spann for his Thursday evening radio show this week. All Filters. He hosts the weekly podcast known as WeatherBrains which he began airing in 2006. [2] Earlly in his career, spann studied electrical engineering at UA while paying for his tuition while working in radio. Though he admits this is not the healthiest, he does make time for quick five-minute naps throughout the day and is able to get more sleep on the weekends. Obituary. Little information is available on his wife, but the pair got hitched on June 6, 1981, and have been married for 40 years. Spann is the founder of The Meteorological Factory, which supplies weather data to industrial and business clients as well as broadcasts weather forecasts for many radio stations. If you aren't from the South or in the field of meteorology, you might not be familiar with the local favorite, but I can guarantee that anyone, from anywhere would enjoy sitting down and talking with him. The couple share two children, James and . James Spann has covered severe weather in Alabama since the 1970s. What did come as a surprise to Spann was when he was called to fill in for beloved TV personality Country Boy Eddie the following Monday morning. Though he says he learned that late in life, he now realizes that were put here to help people. In the early 90s, he earned his certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State University through the schools distance learning program. "And I'm motivated not to get involved with an addiction problem, to stay faithful to my wife, to be a good father to two boys. In his spare time, James enjoys tennis and amateur radio. James Spann | January 13, 2023 @ 3:21 pm COLD WINTER DAY: Temperatures are only in the mid to upper 30s across the northern half of Alabama this afternoon with clouds and a few light snow flurries. Follow on, Paul Finebaum addresses the defensive coordinator candidate that would satisfy Crimson Tide fans, Micah DeBose, 2025 4-star OT, announces SEC commitment, Deion Sanders draws rave reviews from fans on social media after appearing on MNF ManningCast, Rapid Reaction: Back-to-back! James hosted a television series about severe weather safety in 2004. Be sure you don't miss any groups, and know where your weaknesses are so that you can address them. James began working for WSFA in Montgomery in late 1978 as a weekend sports anchor and part-time weatherman. Spann said that through writing a book about his life, he hopes he can encourage other people by reminding them that despite setbacks he had early in his life, he was able to find the life he wanted. My friends were there. 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