James Spann Biography
James Spann is an American meteorologist working for WMBA as the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40. He joined the station in October 1996 and has served the station for over 25 years. He also hosts the WeatherBrains podcast, which he began in 2006.
James Spann Education
Spann joined Mississippi State University in 1990, graduating with a certificate in Geological and Earth Science/Geosciences in 1992.
James Spann Career
Spann has worked for WMBA as the chief meteorologist for ABC 33/40 for over 25 years. He forecasts on weeknights at 4, 5, 6, and 10 o’clock. Overall, he has anchored TV weather for over 45 years. During his career, he has won dozens of awards, including multiple Emmy awards and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle. In 2019, he won the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) National Weatherperson of the Year Award.
Spann has won two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist: the National Weather Association(NWA) Broadcaster of the Year Award and the AMS (American Meteorological Society) Award for Broadcast Meteorology. The NWA awarded him for his passionate devotion to serving Central Alabama with crucial weather information for over 3 decades, particularly during the fatal April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak. The AMS awarded him for nonstop endeavors to advance the public’s awareness of and engagement in the science of meteorology, especially severe weather forecasting and response.
Spann served as one of the initial weather anchors to receive the “Certified Broadcast Meteorologist” Seal from the American Meteorological Society. He also obtained the National Weather Association Seal of Approval and an honorary doctor of laws degree from the University of West Alabama in 2013.
The Mississippi State Department of Geosciences honored him as one of the “Top 100 Outstanding Alumni” in 2016. He was inducted into the University of Alabama School of Communication Hall of Fame and the Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity Alumni Hall of Fame.
Spann chairs the board of Grandview Medical Center. Additionally, he serves as a member of the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Board of Visitors. He obtained his first ham radio license when he was 14 and holds an extra class license.
James Spann Age
Spann was born on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama. He is 69 years old as of 2025. Spann celebrates his birthday on June 6th.
James Spann Height
Spann stands at an approximate height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
James Spann Family
Spann was born to Max and Carolyn Spann in Huntsville, Alabama. His family moved to Greenville in Butler County when he was a child. His mother, Carolyn, worked as a secretary at Greenville High School, while his father sold lumber. Carolyn passed away in 2018 at the age of 86. When he was 7, his father left the family, leaving Carolyn as a single mother. After Spann finished the fourth grade, he and his mother moved to Tuscaloosa so that she could finish her education at the University of Alabama and become a schoolteacher.
James Spann Wife
Spann has been married to Karen for over 4 decades. The couple has two sons. He leads Children’s Worship on Sundays at Double Oak Community Church in Mount Laurel. When he is free, he enjoys amateur radio and tennis.
James Spann Net Worth
Spann has an estimated net worth ranging between $1 million – $5 million, which he has earned through being a meteorologist.
James Spann Salary
Spann earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $ 110,500.
James Spann WBMA
Spann is working at WBMA, where he works alongside other famous anchors and reporters, including;
- Jeff Speegle
- Megan Scarano
- Jamie Hale
- Riley Blackwell
- Valerie Bell
- Cynthia Gould
- Johnny Congdon
- Mary Barron