Birmingham’s ABC 33/40 James Spann named 2019 National Weatherperson of the year

Last night, on social media and their website, ABC 33/40 announced that their longtime and popular Chief Meteorologist James Spann has been named the 2019 National Weatherperson of the Year by the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH).

FLASH Board Member and International Code Council CEO Dominic Sims made the surprise award presentation to Spann on Friday evening.

According to FLASH, Spann was selected “for his dedication to the community and for working tirelessly to prepare the public for severe weather.” From its initial candidate pool of 70, FLASH chose Spann as of the five finalists. Voters then selected Spann as the winner through a poll on FLASH’s Facebook page.

The nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH®) is the country’s leading consumer advocate for strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.

Beloved by weather geeks

Reporting on Birmingham weather since 1978, other than a brief stint in the 80s at a Dallas, Texas television station, Spann has been a “on air” in the Magic City continuously for 30 years.

Beloved by weather geeks everywhere, Spann is a tireless advocate for severe weather awareness and preparedness. Known for his tie and suspenders, Spann has also made weather fun, laughing along with the various social media memes that have been created about him over the years and most recently his funny take on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live Mean Tweets about Birmingham’s anticipated January 30th snowstorm that did not materialize.

Well deserved honor

On a more serious note, Spann has been through it all weather-wise over the past four decades in Birmingham and the state of Alabama. He gives back to the community through his talks to schools and tours at ABC 33/40.

But most importantly, he is there for us, all Alabamians, when the weather is severe and we need him.