James Spann Inspires Young Minds at Cahawba Christian Academy with Passion for Science and Weather
By Savannah Logan
On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, the students of Cahawba Christian Academy were treated to an exciting visit from ABC 33/40 Meteorologist James Spann, who shared his wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for meteorology. With his trademark energy and dedication to fostering a love of science, Spann captivated the young audience by explaining the intricacies of weather and how it impacts their daily lives.
Spann began by showing students how meteorologists like him monitor weather conditions. He explained that predicting the weather is a matter of safety, as it allows people to prepare for potential dangers. Spann walked the students through the use of weather balloons, which measure temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, and demonstrated how to read various maps and satellite pictures to gather data. He emphasized the importance of rain maps and radar in understanding precipitation and storm activity.
Throughout his presentation, Spann emphasized the importance of being prepared for severe weather. He educated the students on different types of clouds, including wall clouds, shelf clouds, and scud clouds, noting that scud clouds are often mistaken for tornadoes but are not. Spann discussed the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which ranks tornadoes from EF 0 to EF 5, and recounted the devastation of April 27, 2011, when 62 tornadoes hit Alabama.
He stressed that when severe weather threatens, safety is paramount. “A car is not a safe place during a tornado,” Spann warned, advising students to seek shelter in small rooms like a hall, closet, or bathroom. He urged them to always be aware of weather conditions, even if they don’t hear a siren (you are very unlikely to hear a siren), and to have a weather radio on hand, along with essential items like a helmet for extra protection.
Spann’s love for science shone through as he explained how meteorologists read radars and the role weather plays in the natural world. He broke down the water cycle, emphasizing that storms, while sometimes severe, are an essential part of life, helping to replenish water sources. Spann also explained how lightning occurs and the science behind thunder — describing it as the rapid heating of air around a lightning bolt. He reminded students of the importance of heading indoors during a lightning storm.
The young audience was particularly fascinated when Spann shared that the Air Force’s hurricane hunters fly into hurricanes at 10,000 feet to gather data — an essential part of tracking these powerful storms. He also touched on rare weather events in Alabama, such as snow and flash freezes, and explained what makes a storm severe: high winds, gusts, and hail.
A key theme throughout Spann’s visit was his passion for instilling a sense of curiosity and responsibility in young minds. He encouraged students to consider becoming storm spotters, teaching them how to recognize different cloud formations like wall clouds and shelf clouds and explaining phenomena such as dust devils.
And in true Spann fashion, he left the students with one vital piece of advice in light of devastating weather: “If it ever happens — go help somebody!”
With tornado season in Alabama spanning from November to May, he encouraged the students to stay informed, be prepared, and always look out for others.
James Spann’s visit wasn’t just about the weather — it was about sparking a lifelong love of science and teaching students how knowledge can protect and empower them.