James Spann’s lifelong dream of providing weather for all areas of Alabama on a statewide network is finally coming true Monday, August 11 at noon.
That’s when the Alabama Weather Network will go on the air. The groundbreaking network will be the only 24/7 digital weather channel providing weather information for all 67 Alabama counties.
On a daily basis, Alabamians will be able to get the weather any time they want no matter where they live in the state. But when times become dangerous and there is a tornado warning or high impact weather anywhere in Alabama, Spann and his team of meteorologists will be on the air covering it live for as long as it lasts.
“There are a number of areas of our state that currently don’t get comprehensive severe weather coverage,” says Spann, a meteorologist for 47 years. “That changes with our commitment to all 67 counties.”
There are several other features that set the Alabama Weather Network apart from other weather entities.
“We’ll have a statewide team of Skywatchers, an amazing camera network throughout the state and cutting-edge drone technology,” said Spann.
People can watch the Alabama Weather Network on a phone, a tablet, on the Alabama Weather Network app and website, on most television interfaces like Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, and on these social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.
“I love this state, and I know it better than anyone, having traveled its back roads for over four decades. I know the people, the culture, our geography and our microclimates. I’m thrilled to now be able to protect Alabamians in all 67 counties,” said Spann.
Spann is one of four owners of the Alabama Weather Network. The others are hotel industry executive Bill Murray, who partners with Spann on the Alabama Weather Blog, former meteorologist John Oldshue, and business and personal finance expert Bill Hardekopf, who was president and general manager of the Birmingham Barons from 1992-1998.
Spann will continue coverage with ABC 33/40.
“During tornado coverage (and coverage of other high impact events, like hurricanes, floods, winter storms, etc) we will also stream live on the social platforms like Facebook and YouTube,” Spann said in a Facebook post. “In the Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/Anniston/Gadsden market, live severe weather coverage can be seen on ABC 33/40 TV as always. AWN will be a no-nonsense weather source that is there when you need us. If your county is under a tornado warning, we will be live with a deep network of fixed cameras, storm chasers, and weather technology second to none.”
To keep up with the Alabama Weather Network, visit alabamaweathernetwork.com or follow the network on social media platforms.
