The 13 Weatherball turns 20 | The history, upkeep and future in West Michigan
You might know what the colors mean, but do you know the backstory or how much behind-the-scenes work it takes to keep the neon blinking bright?
The Story of the Weatherball How it became a West Michigan icon
Between 1967 and 1987, the Weatherball was perched on top of the Michigan National Bank building in downtown Grand Rapids.
The bank's large sign with the letters MN was positioned under the Weatherball, and over time, acted like a large sail which created torque on the tower and damaged the structure of the building.
The historic Weatherball came down in 1987, but it didn't stop generating talk around West Michigan.
The neon tubes that made the colors of the Weatherball were preserved and sold to West Michigan residents.
Many of those original tubes can be seen in area restaurants, stores, and homes.
WZZM purchased the original Weatherball in June 1999.
"In strategic planning meetings, several employees suggested that we bring back the Weatherball," said Janet Mason, former WZZM President & General Manager. "We started searching for the Weatherball and found it in a scrap yard in Kalamazoo and renamed it the 13 Weatherball."
The station broke ground on the project on November 13, 2002, as WZZM celebrated its 40th anniversary.
"The 13 Weatherball is our gift to the people of West Michigan for all of their support of the station for the past four decades," said Mason.
The station unveiled the 13 Weatherball to the community at a public lighting ceremony on May 7, 2003.
WZZM Chief Meteorologist and Lowell native, George Lessens, didn't forget about the Weatherball.
"When I was a kid, I remember making trips into Grand Rapids and how excited I'd be to see the Weatherball", said Lessens. "We'd all take guesses as to what color it would be."
Weatherball specs Fitted with neon
The 16-foot in diameter stainless steel ball was refit with 288 neon lights.
The 13 Weatherball is perched on top of a 100-foot pole on the northeast corner of the station's property at the intersection of Interstate 96 and U.S-131.
From this vantage point, the 13 Weatherball is visible from miles away, including from downtown Grand Rapids.
The changing colors of the 13 Weatherball are determined by 13 ON YOUR SIDE Meteorologists based on their forecast for the day.
The Weather Ball Poem Red, Blue and Green
Have trouble remembering what the colors on the 13 Weatherball mean? Don't ever forget how to read the 13 Weatherball by learning the official 13 Weatherball poem.
13 Weatherball red, warmer ahead.
13 Weatherball blue, cooler in view.
13 Weatherball green, no change foreseen.
Colors blinking bright, rain or snow in sight.
Weatherball Maintenance Ted's got the spark
When the 13 Weatherball's 288 neon lights need maintenance, there is only one man who trust to get the job done, Ted.
Ted has been servicing the Weatherball since it was installed at WZZM in 2003, but he had worked on it before.
"When they brought it back in 2003, I worked at a company and we did all the neon on the Weatherball, and I was the lead man there, so I found myself inside the Weatherball doing all the wiring," Ted remembers.
The magic of working on the Weatherball has never gone away.
When Ted finishes up his work atop the 100-foot-tall tower, he always takes a moment to get on top and take a picture of the Grand Rapids skyline. He says that he makes sure to send the photo to his wife when he gets down to let her know he finished his work safely.
After 20 years climbing the 100-foot pole that lights up the City of Walker, it might be time for a new line in our Weatherball Poem...
13 Weatherball dark... Ted's got the spark!
Weatherball Bandstand The community shares songs about the Weatherball
In 2003, WZZM asked the community to write songs and make music videos to celebrate the 13 Weatherball's new home at our station.
We asked viewers to write their song based on the 13 Weatherball poem and we received dozens of submissions via VHS tape.
The finalists from the contest were showcased on TV with our 13 Weatherball Bandstand show.
After the many songs were played in front of a live studio audience, a talented couple of song writers were named the winners for their song "Know Before You Go."
Dale and Allison Shoemaker were songwriters and plenty familiar with the West Michigan icon and it really shows with their entry into the competition.
"It's just like an old friend... I remember, as a kid, coming back from Newaygo and visiting my grandparents up there. We would always guess what the Weatherball would be late at night. And as soon as you came around that West River Drive exit, you can see the Weatherball downtown... It was like an old friend saying welcome home," Dale shared.
You can watch the entire 13 Weatherball Bandstand broadcast from 2003 here:
Weatherball Phenomenon Weatherballs across America
The 13 Weatherball isn't the only of its kind. In fact, it is isn't even the only weatherball in Michigan.
Most were constructed in the 1950s and 60s and consisted of weatherballs, bells, beacons and towers. They were placed atop banks, radio and TV stations, or in other prominent locations looking to make an impact on the skyline.
In downtown Flint, you'll find the cousin to our own 13 Weatherball, weighing more than two tons and sitting proudly above the skyline of Flint since the 1950s. The weather ball here in downtown is now in the care of Huntington Bank.
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