Was The WZZM 13 Weather Ball Really Found In A Scrap Yard?

The WZZM 13 Weather Ball is a part of West Michigan and Grand Rapids history.

But was this historic piece of WZZM 13 really found in a scrap yard?

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The History of The WZZM 13 Weather Ball

Before we discuss if the WZZM 13 Weather Ball was really found in a scrap yard let's take a look back on how it came to be.

The WZZM 13 Weather Ball was first used in August of 1967.

The blinking ball that would let people know the weather forecast was high atop the Michigan National Bank in Downtown Grand Rapids.

People could know what the weather forecast would be by simply looking at the Weather Ball.

What Do The WZZM 13 Weather Ball Colors Mean?

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.

Why Was The Weather Ball Taken Down?

In February of 1987, the Weather Ball had to be taken down.

The combination of strong winds and the weight of the Weather Ball began to cause structural damage to the building.

So crews had to take the ball off the top of the Michigan Bank building.

The light tubings inside the Weather Ball had to be removed one at a time.

When all the lights were taken down the ball was removed from the building and headed south toward Kalamazoo.

Was The WZZM 13 Weather Ball Really Found In A Scrap Yard?

The pieces of the Weather Ball were left at a scrap yard in Kalamzaoo and amazingly survived for 12 years until WZZM 13 bought the pieces of the Weather Ball and came up with a plan to put it back together.

WZZM 13 eventually found a home for the Weather Ball in Walker.

On May 7th, 2003 the WZZM 13 Weatherball was turned back on and has been running ever since.

Fun Facts About The WZZM 13 Weather Ball

-16 ft stainless steel ball with 288 neon lights

-It sits on a 100 ft pole near I-96 & US-131 in Walker, MI

-The Weather Ball is visible from miles away

WZZM 13 is known and famous for the Weather Ball.

Check out these other things that Michigan is known and famous for.