For decades, Alabamians have turned to James Spann when storms turn deadly — now, the nation is hearing his story.

The longtime ABC 33/40 chief meteorologist appeared on Fox Weather’s “Chillin’ with Bob Van Dillen” this week, discussing the moments that shaped his career and his ongoing mission to protect lives during severe weather.

Van Dillen spoke about the April 2011 Hackleburg-Phil Campbell tornado that put Spann on the map for meteorologists across the country. Spann spent 10 hours on-air during the outbreak, providing critical live coverage of an Alabama storm that went down in history. 

Alabama is part of “Dixie Alley,” a severe weather region similar to “Tornado Alley” but known for more powerful and deadly tornadoes.

“252 people were killed one day in my state,” Spann said. “That’s inexcusable for anybody, anybody in the weather enterprise or anybody in the public. We can’t let that happen again. These were precious people that died.”

Spann has made it his mission to educate people on tornado safety, oftentimes staying on-air for multiple hours to ensure people have constant updates on storms.

In 2025, he started Alabama Weather Network, a channel that provides 24/7 weather coverage through social media, streaming services and online.

“One of the reasons I was put on this planet was to mitigate loss of life when there are tornadoes flying around here,” Spann said. “And you have to have the tools. And most people today demand visually interesting presentations. For years, I could get away with standing in front of a radar on a green screen for eight hours. The truth is, that’s boring. This is why the YouTubers are so successful. And a lot of old meteorologists like me, they get their back arched and get all upset about the YouTubers. Here’s an idea. Maybe we should learn something from them, because what they have done is gather this massive audience using really good visualization techniques.”

Spann has been credited with saving thousands of lives in Alabama and has received the two highest awards in the nation for a broadcast meteorologist — “Broadcaster of the Year” by the National Weather Association and American Meteorological Society’s “Award for Broadcast Meteorology.”

He started his broadcast career in 1978 and he continues to serve Alabama 46 years in.

Evy Gallagher is the assistant editor of Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].