Attention Gadsden and Cullman

James Spann | November 23, 2015 @ 7:17 am

I have posted about these issues multiple times, but with so many questions this morning, here we go again. Let’s take the easiest situation first…

GADSDEN: Many ask… why is there no temperature for Gadsden on your maps?

The answer… the Federal Aviation Administration, who operates the site at the Gadsden Airport, is replacing the equipment. We are told the site will be operational again today (Monday November 23). But so far, no data. Understand this is a government site, and we have no control.

Some then say, well, my phone app (or some web site) shows a temperature for Gadsden! Please understand that is an extrapolation, using data from places like Fort Payne, Anniston, and Birmingham. Basically a guess. We are not in the guessing business here, and I don’t put down weather data where it doesn’t exist. You can be in a town of 5 people anywhere in the nation, and your app will show a current temperature there. The extrapolation game is dangerous, and I will never go there. If you see data on our maps, it is from an actual weather observation with good equipment.

CULLMAN: I have been told my many that we “ignore Cullman” in situations like this morning. How in the world could there be a freeze warning for Winston and Blount counties (the counties just to the west and east), and not for Cullman? You are ignoring us!

This is a rather bewildering situation due to National Weather Service CWA (County Warning Area) boundaries. And trust me, I know people don’t care about those boundaries, but it is another situation beyond my control.

Cullman County is in the Birmingham TV market. If you live in Cullman County, you should be watching local stations from Birmingham for routine weather, and severe weather coverage. For every single tornado warning issued for Cullman County, we have always been there. Just one example…

The confusion comes from the fact that Cullman County is served by the National Weather Service in Huntsville. This has NOTHING to do with TV markets and TV coverage; again, people in Cullman County should be watching local stations out of Birmingham. Yes, all other counties in Alabama along that same latitude are served by the National Weather Service in Birmingham, but Cullman County is the exception.

In the case of the freeze warning, the NWS Huntsville stopped issuing them since most of their territory has already had a significant freeze, but NWS Birmingham still issues freeze warnings (this will be their last of the fall).

Another situation beyond my control. We know you don’t care about National Weather Service “county warning areas” and TV markets… you just want coverage. Trust me, if you live in Cullman County, we have you covered. Always have, always will. But, we can’t adjust National Weather Service advisories like this morning….

Tags: Cullman, gadsden

Category: Alabama's Weather, Hodgepodge

About the Author (Author Profile)

James Spann is one of the most recognized and trusted television meteorologists in the industry. He holds the AMS CCM designation and television seals from the AMS and NWA. He is a past winner of the Broadcast Meteorologist of the Year from both professional organizations.