Meteorologist James Spann returns to Selma to talk about his books on weather and life

Well-known meteorologist James Spann came to Reflections Coffee Shoppe June 1 to talk about the weather and sign some books he wrote.  

One of the books available for purchase was “Weathering Life,” a book about his early life in Greenville, his broken home and about having no money or hope. “‘Weathering Life’ is about me, and I hate things about me, but I thought it might encourage somebody,” Spann said.  

“All You Can Do is Pray” is about April 27, 2011, the day Alabama saw 62 tornados that killed 252 people. “(The storm) was generational. It was once in a lifetime,” Spann said. “But I wanted to preserve the history of that day, the science of the day and the stories of the day. Stories that maybe peoplehaven’t heard.”  

There were also children’s books available for kids who love or hate the weather. Spann said the series “Benny and Chipper” is for kids who love weather but perhaps have some fear of it. “Information is powerful,” Spann said. “That whole series was written for children, and that’s my main thing, is children’s ministry.” Spann has worked in children’s ministry for 35 years, doing morning worship for children’s service at his church and volunteering in VBS programs during the summer. 

Spann has a busy life. He works from 4 a.m. to midnight every day, doing weather spots for 24 commercial radio and television stations, posts on Facebook Live and YouTube live. He speaks to one to three schools a day during the school year, and he works the night shift at the television station from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“If you love what you do, it’s great. If you don’t love it, it would kill you,” Spann said. “I will never ever complain about my hours or working conditions because I’m living the dream. They’re paying me to do what I love to do, and it’s great.” 

Being from Greenville, Spann travels through Selma often. He came to Selma for the anniversary of the Jan. 23, 2023, tornado. 

“I’ve been here (Selma) five years. I’ve seen James Spann my whole entire life, so I was really excited that he came down here,” Dana Hall said.  

“The places down here – Greenville, Selma, Camden, Demopolis – these are my people,” Spann said. “Whenever I come down through here, it’s like being dipped in healing waters. It’s all good. I’m from rural South Alabama and always will be. I was born here. I’ll die here. I’ll be buried here.”