If you've spent more than five minutes in Alabama during a thunderstorm, you know the drill. The TV stays on, the volume goes up, and everyone waits for the jacket to come off. That’s the universal signal that things are getting serious. But lately, people have been asking a different kind of question: how old is James Spann, and how on earth does he keep up this pace?
Honestly, the man is a machine. While most folks his age are eyeing the golf course or a quiet porch swing, Spann is still pulling twelve-hour shifts when the radar turns purple. He’s been the voice of reason through every major weather disaster in the Deep South for decades. You’d think the guy would be tired by now.
The Birthday Math: How Old Is James Spann Right Now?
Let's get the numbers out of the way because they’re actually pretty impressive. James Max Spann Jr. was born on June 6, 1956, in Huntsville, Alabama. As of today in early 2026, James Spann is 69 years old. He’ll be hitting the big 7-0 this coming June.
It’s kind of wild to think about. He’s been doing this since 1978. That’s nearly half a century of tracking cold fronts and supercells. If you feel like he’s been on your screen forever, it’s because he basically has. Most of the parents watching him today grew up watching him themselves.
He didn’t start out as a "weather guy," though. Back in the day, he was actually an electrical engineering major at the University of Alabama. But the weather bug bit him hard, and he eventually shifted gears, getting his certificate in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State.
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Why the Age Question Matters to Fans
People aren't just being nosy when they search for his age. There’s a genuine sense of "what happens when he leaves?" He’s become such a fixture of Alabama life that the idea of a tornado warning without his suspenders and his encyclopedic knowledge of every backroad in Cullman County is honestly a bit terrifying for locals.
A Career That Spans Generations
Spann isn't just "old school"; he’s the school. He started his TV journey in Tuscaloosa at WCFT, moved through Montgomery, and even did a stint in Dallas (at KDFW) before realizing Alabama was home. He’s been at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham since 1996. That’s a 30-year run at one station, which is practically unheard of in the volatile world of local news.
What’s crazy is his schedule. The man is nearly 70, yet he’s often the first one in and the last one out. He does the morning weather blog, records a dozen radio spots, visits two or three schools a day (he loves those third graders), and then anchors the 4, 5, 6, and 10 p.m. news.
- 1973: His first real taste of weather tragedy as a teen ham radio volunteer during the Brent tornado.
- 1978: Professional debut in Tuscaloosa.
- 2006: Launched WeatherBrains, a weekly podcast that's still going strong.
- 2011: The April 27th outbreak where he stayed on air for 10+ hours, a day he says changed him forever.
How Does He Stay So Energetic at 69?
If you see him in person, he doesn't look or act like a guy pushing 70. He’s fit, he’s sharp, and his memory for dates and storm tracks is honestly a little spooky. He credits a lot of his stamina to his "ministry." To him, weather isn't just a job; it’s a way to serve.
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He’s famously active in his church, Double Oak Community Church, where he leads children's worship. He’s also the chairman of the board at Grandview Medical Center. Between the gym three days a week and a constant drive to "mitigate loss of life," he just doesn't seem to have a "stop" button.
There’s also his hobby: amateur radio. His call sign is WO4W. He’s been a "ham" since he was 14. That geeky passion for communication is really the foundation of his entire career. It’s how he learned to talk to people when the world was falling apart.
Misconceptions About the "Legend"
Because he’s been around so long, a lot of myths have popped up. Some people think he’s retired already—he hasn't. Others think he’s a climatologist—he’s very quick to tell you he's a "weather guy," not a "climate guy," a distinction that has caused some friction in the scientific community over the years.
He’s also not a fan of the "siren mentality." You won't see him screaming at the camera or using "Hype-Cast 5000" graphics. He’s very vocal about the fact that over-warning leads to "alarm fatigue." He wants you to be prepared, not panicked.
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The Famous Suspenders
Are they a fashion choice? Sorta. But they’re more of a uniform. When the jacket comes off and the suspenders are visible, Alabama knows it’s time to go to a safe place. He’s even joked that he’s "the only guy in America who can make suspenders look... well, okay."
Looking Ahead: Is Retirement on the Horizon?
Everyone wants to know if 70 will be the magic number for retirement. Honestly? Probably not. He’s said repeatedly that he has no plans to slow down as long as he’s healthy and helpful. He recently launched the Alabama Weather Network, showing he’s still looking at the future of the industry rather than the exit door.
His impact goes way beyond the "how old is James Spann" trivia. He’s written books like Weathering Life and All You Can Do Is Pray, documenting the 2011 disasters. He’s been a mentor to dozens of young meteorologists who are now chiefers at their own stations.
If you’re looking for a takeaway from Spann’s long career, it’s basically this: find something you love so much that you’re still excited to wake up at 4:00 a.m. to do it when you’re nearly 70.
To stay updated on James’s latest forecasts or to see if he's visiting a school near you, your best bet is to follow his Facebook page—which has over a million followers for a reason—or check the daily AlabamaWX blog. He’s still the most reliable source in the game, regardless of what the calendar says.