If Alabama Had An Official State Meteorologist We Think James Spann Takes The Cake
By Lisa Battles|Published February 12, 2024
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Lisa Battles
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Lisa has traveled the U.S. for over a decade, seeking out and sharing the stories of its most interesting places, people, and experiences. A journalism graduate of Auburn University, she has been a content strategist, editor, and writer for more than 25 years. Lisa has worked in community news, PR, and marketing with a focus on tourism, hospitality, and economic development. Besides following her curiosity around every corner, she's a devoted dog mom of two and advocate for animal welfare.
In Alabama, it’s rare to talk weather without regard to James Spann. With national recognition and legions of fans, the Birmingham-based meteorologist easily takes the cake for best Alabama news personality. The Associated Press agrees emphatically, having named him the best weatherman in the state over a dozen times.
He’s also taking many cakes lately. More on that in a moment.
A broadcast veteran of more than 50 years (if you count his high-school radio years), Spann has since won scores of awards and become a household name.
Even if you don't know much about Spann, you may have heard his signature tornado-safety phrase, "Respect the polygon!" Both the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association recognized Spann with the nation's top awards in meteorology following his coverage during the 2011 Super Outbreak from April 26 through 28 of that year.
In one of the worst tornado disasters ever recorded, over 360 tornadoes swept across 21 states and parts of southern Canada. More than 60 of those tornadoes occurred in Alabama on April 27, 2011. The National Weather Service reports that of the Alabama storms, three were categorized as the most destructive F5 and eight as F4 on a scale of zero to five. NWS reports 238 direct fatalities and at least 2,092 direct injuries throughout the state from those storms.
Acknowledging the devastating toll, people widely credit Spann's continuous coverage that day and night for saving countless other lives. To memorialize that event and broadcast, the Alabama Department of Archives & History requested he donate the suspenders he wore and a favorite on-air tie. They now are part of the department's permanent collection.
Why the suspenders? They've long been part of his look, an overall visual cue for viewers to listen up when they see him. As he's explained in interviews, he only rolls up his sleeves for especially bad weather threats. People do take notice.
Spann has been the chief meteorologist for Birmingham's ABC 33/40 since 1996. In addition to his four regular daily broadcasts on weekdays, he's dedicated to community outreach and weather education.
He is a frequent and favorite guest speaker at local schools, where he emphasizes weather safety while weaving in why core topics like geography and math are so important. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close, he took to video broadcasts to help kids keep learning at home.
These days, groups that host Spann have started a trend of presenting him with elaborate, customized treats. For his appearance at Trinity Christian School in Oxford, Vanilla Bean Cakery of Golden Springs brought him special sugar cookies.
Not long after Groundhog Day at Bryant Park Elementary, Odenville's Klarissa's Cakery brought Spann a cake featuring a groundhog attempting to steal his look and snag his job – a lighthearted nod to Spann's long-running dislike of Groundhog Day.
In early 2024, Spann quickly quashed retirement rumors, letting everyone know he was just firing up. Naturally, the actual quote quickly made its way onto a beautifully done cake by SadieCakes of Gadsden.
I can't begin to imagine the baked goods when – or if – he ever does decide to hang up his suspenders. In the meantime, he can count on treats from his many fans, including iconic Alabama businesses who make sure to recognize him on occasions like National Weatherperson Day.
In case you wondered, Milo's is headquartered in Birmingham, and Texas-based Blue Bell has one of its three large production facilities here in Sylacauga.
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If you're a Spann fan, you can catch him at occasional appearances and signings in support of several books he's written. Two reflect his life and career experiences "Weathering Life," and "All You Can Do Is Pray." He also has a few illustrated children's books teaching weather awareness and personal encouragement.
You can find Spann’s book titles and other merchandise, like t-shirts with favorite sayings, in his shop through Crest Publishers. You can also find him on social media on the official James Spann Facebook page, which he frequently updates with Alabama-specific weather information (of course!) alongside submitted and curated weather and nature images from around the state and world.
If you’re a lover of all things weather and want some fun ways to explore it at home, check out Etsy for a lot of creative and novel weather observation tools.
Do you agree James Spann takes the cake for best Alabama news personality? We’d love to hear your favorite among his many weather tips, quotes, and major broadcast events.
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