About This Blog
The ABC 33/40 Weather Blog started as “WeatherTalk”, a daily op-ed piece on the ABC 33/40 web site which we started writing way back in 1996, when the station first signed on the air. Back then there were not that many Internet users, and nobody knew what a blog was anyway!
We moved to a true blogging platform in November 2004, just in time for many historic Alabama weather events, including the insane hurricane season of 2005. You can go back and see the posts from November 2004 to October 2006 on the old blog format here.
We have eight primary writers. James Spann, Ashley Brand, Brian Peters, and Jason Simpson are the “TV guys” on ABC 33/40, while J.B. Elliott, John Oldshue, Dr. Tim Coleman, and Bill Murray are with The Weather Company, ABC 33/40′s partner for additional forecast and Internet support. If you want to learn more about us, just click on our picture on the banner at the top of the page.
The ABC 33/40 Weather Blog generates some of the highest traffic in the nation for a TV weather site, and we are honored that you take the time to read our material. We do our best to have fresh information available seven days a week; and of course, when the weather gets active, blog posts come fast and furious. We also offer our Weather Xtreme video twice a day on weekdays, and once daily on weekends; this video is embedded right in the blog and offers an additional way for you to get a detailed weather briefing.
We welcome your input; we allow open comments from anyone. Those who comment often are like callers to a radio show; they are a part of our family.
Again, thanks for taking the time to read the blog, and let us hear from you!
November 27th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Hey guys, Ive just received DSL service in the last few months and it sure is great getting the weather extreme video. However, Ive noticed in the last 2 weeks, the video does not run continuously on my screen anymore, there are minutes when it freezes and then starts again. Ive tried defragging my machine but no help. Can you tell me if this is normal or please offer some suggestions of parameters that i can check.
Thank you and GOD BLESS.
Ferrell
January 18th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Global warming AND science are both LIES!
They aren’t in the Bible, PERIOD! END OF DISCUSSION!!!
OF course the liberal terrorist/scientists want you to believe their satanism, but the fact is they have no PROOF!!!!
Ask God tonight when you pray, what is the meaning behind all these lies? It is to distract us Christians from the light – do NOT fall for the trap!!!!
God put the planet here to use and would never allow it to harm us, let alone by utilizing God’s fruits!!!
LIBERAL LIES!!!!!!!!!!!
January 19th, 2007 at 12:32 am
I am glad there is a good conservative God fearing blog out here in the internet that isn’t perpetuating the secular scientist liberal funded lies of the media.
What we need in this country is more people like you, don’t believe the science and the lies!
Like you said, follow the money, the liberals are heavily funded by the communist leftovers, and now they are supporting terrorism at home and abroad through our media, no surprise!
January 20th, 2007 at 9:31 am
This is my thread on a major astronomy forum and the topic is Global Warming. I use this thread to get out the right story which is : It is only 3-4% (maybe) due to human activities. It is mostly due to the Sun and cosmic rays (see Danish experiment in one of the posts) and natural Mother Nature cycles (see the link to a chart here: http://www.scotese.com/climate.htm ).
http://forums.astronomydaily.com/viewtopic.php?t=4509&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
January 20th, 2007 at 9:52 am
Thanks for speaking the truth about the global warming hype. Now it is time to stop the brain-washing of our children with this junk science being taught as fact.
January 20th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Global Warming is great!
I played golf 2nd week of January
in Alabama and it was 72 degrees, blue skies
and no wind. We need more global warming.
January 20th, 2007 at 12:04 pm
I have been increasingly annoyed over the past couple of years the way the Weather Channel has jumped onto the human induced global warming band wagon. Presently they are cracking the whip and steering the team. I used to go to them for local forecasts but have switched over to the local TV channel (Fox 5 reports) which I discovered to be better analytically and more detailed.
You have my full support. Keep up the good work.
January 20th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Keep up the great work James and don’t let these man-made global warming wackos get to you. We love ya up here in Connecticut.
January 20th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
If I have to hear another left coast californian’(sp?) Complain and moan about our man-made global warming, enforcing excessive emissions regulations, then turn arround and claim 500 Million dollars worth of damage due to unseasonably cold temps, as they stoke the fires of smoky walnut shells I’m going to puke.
Call me “Cold” but crap happens its the weather.
January 20th, 2007 at 2:40 pm
dear mr. spann,
for your tv appearances next week, you might google the recent united nations committee report which stated that the methane gas produced by cow and pig flatulence far outweighs in environmental impact all the gas burning engines on earth.
wazir m.
January 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Great job, James. You are a professional and who I turn to when my family needs information about severe weather situations. It is refreshing to see someone stand up for what is right – you are a man of character and Truth. It is tiring to constantly hear false “scientific fact” that is nothing more than a liberal agenda. Keep up the good work!
January 20th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Way to go Jim on shooting down the Neo-lib weather channel babe! Their PC propaganda will not stop until common sense Americans take a stand or we fall like the Roman Empire. BTW, whatever happened to all of the pollution from the Mount Pinatubo eruption or the oil well fires in Iraq that were supposed to thrust us all into eternal darkness? Didn’t that idiot Ted Whatshisname from Cheers say that the earth would become uninhabitable in 10 years from Global Warming about 12 or so years ago???? Didn’t Time Magazine say just a few years back that we were going into another ice age?
January 20th, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Dear James… yes i watch U on ABC 33/40… you are tops with weather in Bham
but… I am 60 years of age… I remember back in the late 50′s and early
60′s in the winter time that it would be so cold… “coldest i remember was
5 above zero in winter & yes i remember it getting up to 110 in summer…
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But the trend that i noticed in the last several years is how come it has
become much “warmer” in all of the winter months… & it seems to me to be
hotter in the summer months… i do know the earth is getting warmer for
whatever the reason might be…
January 20th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
If I remember my history correctly, there have been at least two ice ages. What happened between the two ice ages? GLOBAL WARMING!!!!
January 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
To L. Taylor,
Please read the links under Tiroch earlier today.
January 20th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
Ask him about what was revealed in the trial involving an airplane crash—-very serious questions about his presentation of doppler images and the time sequence in which he claimed they occured—he is after headlines and looks like he will get them from the conservative talking heads
January 20th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
Let us say Ms. Heidi is right about human influence on global weather. You may recall the 70’s when these same people were worried about a nuclear winter due to above ground testing. Why not now advocate a limited return to above ground nuclear testing and just “dial in†whatever temperature we want for the globe!
January 20th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Dear Mr. Spann, I have watched the weather chanel in times of dangerous weather conditions such as hurricanes, but since they have that kook Heidi Cullen on with her cockamamie ideas on global warming and her insistence that ALL METEORLOGISTS MUST GO ALONG WITH IT, I have stopped watching that channel. It is obviously another tool of the liberal left, and as always, either you march in step with them or you cannot be a weatherman. I am fed up with these liberals and I congratulate you on standing up to them. When they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that global warming is a real thing, then I will listen to them. Until then, as you and Rush say, FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!
January 20th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Dear Mr. Spann, I have watched the weather chanel in times of dangerous weather conditions such as hurricanes, but since they have that kook Heidi Cullen on with her cockamamie ideas on global warming and her insistence that ALL METEORLOGISTS MUST GO ALONG WITH IT, I have stopped watching that channel. It is obviously another tool of the liberal left, and as always, either you march in step with them or you cannot be a weatherman. I am fed up with these liberals and I congratulate you on standing up to them. When they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that global warming is a real thing, then I will listen to them. Until then, as you and Rush say, FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!!!
January 21st, 2007 at 3:04 am
Dear Mr. Spann and Mary,
Don’t stop watching! Let us drive them crazy! Advocate above ground nuclear testing to cool the planet like the kooks in the 70′s were worried about. Imagine the talking points:
1 Man can change the weather and quickly
2 He can turn the temp up or down at will
3 And on the cheep (just pop a few out of date nukes)
4 Gets rid of the nuke stockpile
5 If you test in the right areas you could stabilize world governments
And the list is endless
January 21st, 2007 at 8:46 am
Hello, James. WAY TO GO!!
Cullen said she didn’t intend to take a political position,BUT SHE DID.
Cullen said she doesn’t want to stifle skeptics, BUT SHE DOES.
Stand by your principles, James.
I’m with you.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:19 am
Regarding “Global Warming” and such tripe…. I proffer this for your consideration. Meteorology as an accurate science has been around for how long?
I would say…. somewhere around 150 years at best. That said, how can anyone then say that what is going on today isn’t a part of the normal cyclic weather changes that have taken place for the last four thousand years? Fact is they can’t.
Weather modeling as it is done today has only been around, truthfully, for the last 25-28 years. They have no more an idea of what is happening, and what its true causes are, than astronomers know about the origins of the universe. In fact, they know much, much less than that.
You doubt what I’m saying, look it up for yourselves. Check out the history of weather forecasting, or meteorology. See how far back it stretches, what it’s true history is. It’s in it’s infancy. Barely crawling around on the floor.
Yet, they’re gonna tell you that they have all the answers, and that their answer are absolute. Absolute horse pucky, thats what it is.
Anyone remember a little island in the South Pacific called Krakatoa (SP?)?
See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krakatoa
What do you think happened when it blew up? It ejected 25 cubic kilometres of rock, ash, and pumice. Where did all that dirt, volcanic ash and such go? Right up into the atmosphere, thats where it went. What effect did it have on the atmosphere? Climate cooling, maybe? Long term?
In short, I submit the high-priests of “Global Warming” are clueless.
January 21st, 2007 at 10:36 am
James…. you are right on with this “Global Warming Theory”. I have my on thoughts on why it is such a “PC” topic.
I have been an operational weather forecaster/observer since 1973. I got my experience in the US Navy and working contract work for both SAIC/KBR. I am in total aggrement with the “Follow the Money” statement. My background has taught me that this “Global Warming” has more to do with the “SUN” than what man has done! We have just come out of a high “Sunspot” activity decade, actually much longer than the last decade; just like the change in the seasons there is a lag from the time the sun has reached it’s zenith until we are experiencing our warmest days of summer. I theorize that this “Global Warming” has been the result of the “lag” between max sunspot activity and now.
James….. keep up the good work and continue your search for people without a “PC” Brain.
January 21st, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I keep up with all of the latest findings in science and astronomy. One of my many interests, and anyone, with any education and common sense, knows that Global Warming is an event that happens periodically on the earth and has been happening since the beginning of our planet. I agree with you, Mr. Spann. Weather trends are influenced from many factors. Carbon dioxide levels go up and vary according to volcanic activity and from the sun. If man contributes anything to weather patterns, it is a very very small fraction of what it takes to cause a rise in world temperatures. Too many junk science snake oil salesmen are making a lot of money off of this idiotic notion of man caused global warming. It is all about greed and left wing politics.
January 21st, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Hooray for Mr. Spann! Thank you for having to Gozubas to stand up to the new religion of Scientism (pseudo-science as dogma). If you don’t accept their “fundamentalistic†priests (Gore and Co.) as infallible, you risk the wrath of the glitterati (illiterati) of Hollywood media and to be shut up (remove your certifications via threats and expulsion), much like Galileo was treated. Enough of this stupidity and political correctness! Thank you!
January 21st, 2007 at 7:16 pm
A little something non-climate related for all you CO2-emmissions-away! fans:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/061120fa_fact3
Not here to make a case for anthropogenic global warming, but I’d like to make a couple of points:
- environmental modeling capabilities are improving rapidly with improving computational and data storage capacities and research. I’m sure even Mr. Spann would agree with that.
- 1970s predictions are red herrings in this whole debate. A couple of research articles got published, the media said “Whoa! this’ll sell some papers!” Meanwhile the scientists investigated further and quietly said amongst themselves: “maybe this isn’t such a problem” Meanwhile our hyperventilating press went about finding other exciting stuff to sell papers with. Anthropogenic climite change has survived much longer, and much more scrutiny, than those old studies.
- Mrs. Cullen even backed off her stupid comment. Scientist in general don’t work that way. While there is certainly some herd mentality its far less significant than in other areas of human endeavor. One of the best ways to make a name is to prove something other scientists thought couldn’t or shouldn’t be the case.
- Right now nobody truly knows how much of global warming is man-made, but the last time there was this much carbon in the air there were aligators living at the poles. Furthermore, there is significant evidence that climate changing phenomena can build up with little noticeable change, then have a sudden shift. We could be in for a big change in the next 100 yrs or so. Or maybe not.
- We’re conducting a great big experiment with our planet right now, taking lots of carbon out of the ground and sticking it into the atmosphere in the form of CO2. Hope it goes as well as all you climate experts say it will!
- Finally, what if it was true? What would you do about it? It sure would suck, wouldn’t it? Some of you might want to examine your motives a bit…
January 22nd, 2007 at 10:21 am
Nate said, “Finally, what if it was true? What would you do about it? It sure would suck, wouldn’t it? Some of you might want to examine your motives a bit…”
_________________________________________
The problem is that most of the pro-global warming voices out there are intolerant of other views. You seem very open-minded. That’s not the mood coming from proponents (i.e., Gore and Co. and many other academicians, etc.). Those of us who don’t buy into their mantra are ostracized, ridiculed, or not given much forum space. Even if what you say is true, these political forces appear to be full of adogma-mindset, something that is highly unscientific.
January 22nd, 2007 at 12:13 pm
I don’t believe the hype over Global Warming so if there are many Meteorologists who also don’t believe it why don’t they use the Daily Temperature Records to disprove the myth? Every day, every weather broadcast gives out the High and Low temps for the day AS WELL AS THE RECORD HIGH AND LOW TEMPERATURES. Well, (suppose, for example) if it’s 65 deg in mid-January in Cincinnati and the record temp for today was 72 deg set in 1939 then why is today’s high temp thought to be part of Global Warming? Most of the daily high temperature records seem to have been set a long timne ago and nobody was very concerned about them.
January 31st, 2007 at 10:29 am
James
I know I am smart because my GOOD COMMON SENSE told me you know what you are talking about when it comes to the weather. I had already decided that weather girl heidi was of another weather/wave family than you. I look at TWC when I want extensive national weather but when I want the facts of local weather I turn to the smartest and best in this area; James Spann. Thanks. Keep up the good job. Also, I think you have a direct link to THE REAL WEATHER MAN,right?
February 12th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I have two problems I have with the Pro Global Warming Movement.
First is the way many of the political pundits use a scientist’s opinion as fact. They take these “facts” turning them into fodder for their cannons, blasting away at anyone taking an opposing view. Any opposition to their argument is labeled as “anti – ______” (fill in the blank the noun of your choice… Human or, mankind as examples).
Second problem is way the media loves to promote any opinion that will scare the masses, The fear of death or the destruction of the planet- what better topics to alarm the public. An alarmed, frighten public will allow those in power to increase their hold limiting our freedoms – all in the name of what is best for the greater good.
Has man influenced weather thru pollution? It is possible, but it is also too early to tell to what extent.
February 13th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
I commend James on stating the obvious truths about our changing world and the natural events in motion. I have atmospheric Physics and other such geo and atmos courses in the military and college and from my own experiences “observing” natural events living in the Giles couty VA area (see EQ 1896 for geo reference), being involve in monitoring geological events and there effects upon the atmosphere leads a sane and reasonable person to conclude these folks are looking for celebrity status and MONEY, millions of it!
If one looks at the severe weather within the last couple of years and then overlayed the volcanos eruptions, level of atmosphereic gases and materials in the 10,000 to 40,000+ altitude, the plum paths, ash and gas parcipitation, and the obvious will hit you directly. Remember that there are 12 active volcanos blsting ash and gases into the atmosphere above the artic circle. Black material on white snow will absorb heat (not reflect it like the snow), cause melting at a rate that is not as the past was that created the level of ice accumulated. There are 17,108 active volcanos right now and that adds up to a lot of ash and gases going to the upper level of the atmosphere. Given the volumes from just one volcano eruption, the amount that we as humans have produced and project to produce, the human contribution is “like a spit in a very large lake”. Go check the volcano activity and then check the “severe weather activity” that followed. You will see the same “light” that I saw.
February 14th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Does anyone have a record of the weather on Valentine’s day in 1958 in Jefferson County. It snowed that night and I had my first date with the girl that I later married. Where would I find the weather history for that date? Thanks
February 22nd, 2007 at 3:28 am
jonny15
March 19th, 2007 at 9:01 pm
This the first time I have visited ypur web site.
I like it,I could spend hours looking through it.
It was an honor meeting you the other day..
March 27th, 2007 at 8:13 am
That’s a neat blog – plenty of work in there, I can see that, too. John
April 4th, 2007 at 7:25 am
I wanted to read Bill Murray’s blogs on the April 4th, 1974 tornados. Can you direct me to where on the ABC/40 website it is. Thanks, Gail
June 14th, 2007 at 8:54 am
You might want to check your rainfall amounts for Oct. & Nov. 1904 that are mentioned on the 7 day forecast page. I think you’ll find the total being about 3 3/4″
June 30th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
You guys do a GREAT JOB with this blog….I am blown away by how good it is.
~Michael
http://cookevilleweatherguy.blogspot.com
October 26th, 2007 at 9:50 am
The double celebrex hypertension doors. He was laughing again, sticks out of its crackling report hammering eardrumsas.
January 8th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
As the outbreak of tornadoes hits during the early days of January, I am reminded of the tornado that hit Pell City Alabama on January 10, 1975 at 4:07pm(approximate time). I was cooking a special dinner for my parents in my new home when the power went off and everything got weird. I grabbed my two boys and was headed to a ditch when my husband came flying into the driveway and told me that downtown Pell City had been destroyed by a tornado. That was my first experience with a weather situation. As a result, my husband and I have been mindful of the weather and he has been a weather spotter and ham radio operator in St Clair County for many years. He has been at the EMA office during many bad weather events. What strength was that tornado?
January 16th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
regardless of whatever, maybe it takes the global warming hype to get stupid people to take our environmental problems serious. Pollution is not good. We need cleaner fuels to reduce our dependence on oil. I think the hype and the masses of people who do believe in global warming may just be good for all.
January 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
in addition all the man made pollution does make people sick. We have all seen the cost of oil. (lives and money) So give the global warming people a break. Don’t try to turn it into a religious event or discussion of any kind. Maybe you should support it for other reasons, even if the facts behind the climate changes may not be from what they say!
January 25th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
raing with sleet in farmstead.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:16 am
Pea size hail in Moody, 1/2 to inch on ground, lasted approx. 10 min with high winds and what a lighting show. time occured 0230 – 0245.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Pea size hail in Moody, 1/2 to inch on ground, lasted approx. 10 min with high winds and what a lighting show. time occured 0330 – 0345.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Hi, James, I have wanted to send you a note for 15 years about how you saved the lives of my husband and me on that terrible Sunday afternoon in 1993 when the tornatoes were ging crAzy in Ala. and one hit our subdivision in N. Shelby Cty., Broken Bow. We had been in Ga. for the weekend, and had been home only a short time. We had come thru(using shortcuts) terrible weather and as soOn as we got home we turned on the tv and were listening to you on the “other” channel. The power went off about 5:05pm and we got out ‘boom’ box on batteries and turned it to the far left to listen to you. You told us the tornado had hit the Shoney’s and Crck. Brel. at 65/119 and was coming up 119 and to get in our safe place. We stayed in the kit. for a few minutes and then heard the noise. We rushed to the basmnt and heard it over us. We heard it pick up the wrought iron furniture on the deck and as my feet hit the concrt. floor I fell to my knees and started praying out loud asking God to protect us and to deliver us from almost certain injury if not death. Even as I prayed, we heard the furn. hit the floor of the deck and in just a matter of seconds it was over. I was crying and praising God as I had never before, but the miracle really hit us when we went back to the kit. The back door was closed and locked when we went down and was still, but the sight we were greeted with was almost overwhelming. There were wet leaves on the kit. table, the stove, the washer/dryer, and even into the dining room which was BEHIND the kit door!! If you had not told us to go to our SP, and the Lord had not heard my prayers, Rigdon and I would have been statistics. All this early tornado activity in the country this year has been on my mind, and this week I stood in the bsmt/kit. door, and realized how blessed we were. It is amazing how we/our home were spared. I wish you could stand there and invision how something that amazing could have happened. The top of our home was on the way up when God took the torn. away and pulled that door back shut with only leaves to show us what had happened. There is so much more I would like to say but space doesn’t permit. If you ever have a minute, give us a call. I am not a nut, but I do believe in prayer and am always happy to tell people how the Lord helps me every day in everything I do, from finding a hidden hat to lifting a tornado off our home, the small and the large, but then no prayer is “small”, just us people. Thanks for letting me send this to you and I hope you have made it this far in this ‘epic’ blog “note”. Take care and keep up the wonderful work and service you give all us watching and trusting you every day. Thanks for sending us the message that s;ent us to a place of safety in a terrible situation. Sincerely, Vara G. Hitchcock
March 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Hi James, It’s me again. Just wanted to ask you to not put my address and phone # on the comment page if it is possible. I didn’t think, as I am prone to do, (I take “mental vacations” on a regular basis.) that it might not be safe to advertise that info and if you can’t delete that part, then that’s ok too. The Lord will take care of me, He always does!. Thanks. Vara
July 24th, 2008 at 8:38 am
I glad to see that the Weather Channel still has some sense of humor. With all of their buy-in to the whole ‘global warming’ sophistry, the Saturday Night Live spoof that Jim Cantore did on S. Padre Island during hurricane Dolly was a hoot! He could not have done better if he was actually reporting the weather. If the videographer had been just a bit more unsteady, it would have been a much more realistic. And, the swimming goggles were simply over the top. It is certainly a refreshing change from those boring ‘Storm Stories’ that interrupt actual weather reports. For a change, they made my day.
August 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
“And, the swimming goggles were simply over the top. ”
i agree
by the way ,while you’re at it, check out these swimming goggles
September 17th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Wow, didn’t know about your site until today. Goes to show you that one can live among the stars and never see them. Anyway, I’m a nautical buff and the article about the ship hull on Gulf Shores drew me to your site. Good article! I will be linking to your site and would appreciate your link to us.
October 7th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Got a question. We were having a discussion at work as to whether the temperatures were cooler this time of year than it was last year. I’m from Gadsden. Is there any website that I can go to to find that information out?
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:36 pm
After reading many of these responses then I have to say if God did just make us as the top intelligence in the universe……….man, he really has some work to do on his creation ability.
——————————————————————————–
Global warming AND science are both LIES!
They aren’t in the Bible, PERIOD! END OF DISCUSSION!!!
OF course the liberal terrorist/scientists want you to believe their satanism, but the fact is they have no PROOF!!!!
——————————————————————————–
I truly am lost for words here……..WOW.
January 30th, 2009 at 8:15 am
james Spann….
Why do you do this all the time? I get all worked up and excited about the possibility of snow and I am always disapointed. I live in Hoover and it never fails…you predict we may get 1/2 to 1″ accumulation….I wake up several times during the night….nothing…at all. Just say “you’re NOT gonna get any!”. I get so mad!!!
Just want to know…do you get some kind of kickback from publix or bruno’s…because you know everyone will rush out and buy milk and bread.
Hope Im not disappointed this time.