NOAA Weather Radio
National Weather Service
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- National Weather Service
Weather Reports and Much More…
NOAA Weather Radio is not just for emergencies. It is a round-the-clock source of weather reports and information to help you prepare for the day ahead.
Each National Weather Service office tailors its broadcast to suit local needs. Routine programming is repeated every few minutes and consists of the local forecast, regional conditions, and marine forecasts. Additional information, including river stages and climatic data, is also provided. During emergencies, routine broadcasts are interrupted for warnings, watches and other critical information.
NOAA Weather Radio is the perfect complement to local radio and TV weather news as well as Emergency Managers Weather Information Network, the Internet and other sources of weather information.
STAY INFORMED by listening to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest watches and warnings. When conditions are favorable for severe weather, a WATCH is issued. When severe weather is imminent or occurring, a WARNING is issued.
Weather Service personnel use information from Doppler radar, storm spotters, state and local offices, satellites and other sources to issue warnings. These Watches and Warnings are broadcast over local NOAA Weather Radio stations and also are retransmitted by many local radio and television stations. With this information, local emergency management and public safety officials can activate local warning systems to alert communities of an impending weather threat.
What To Listen For…
WATCH
Severe Thunderstorm: Severe thunderstorms are possible in your area.
Tornado Tornadoes are possible in your area. Remain alerted for approaching storms.
Flash Flood or Flood Flash flooding or flooding is possible in your area.
Winter Storm Hazardous winter weather conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice, are possible in your area.
WARNING
Severe Thunderstorm: A severe thunderstorm is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters.
Tornado A tornado is imminent or has been indicated by Doppler radar or reported by storm spotters. Move to your predesignated place of safety immediately!
Flash Flood or Flood Flash flooding is occurring or is imminent. Take necessary precautions immediately!
Winter Storm Hazardous winter weather conditions are forecast to occur within 12 hours or are about to begin in your area. Stay indoors!
Seconds Save Lives!
Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation. During an emergency, National Weather Service forecasters will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out the special tone that activates weather radios in the listening area. The hearing – and visually impaired also can get these warnings by connecting weather radios with alarm tones to other kinds of attention-getting devices like strobe lights, pagers, bed-shakers, personal computers and text printers.
Who Needs NOAA Weather Radio?
Public safety experts agree: the receivers should be standard equipment in every home. They are especially valuable in places that are entrusted with public safety, including hospitals, schools, places of worship, nursing homes, restaurants, grocery stores, recreation centers, office buildings, sports facilities, theaters, retail stores, bus and train stations, airports, marinas and other public gathering places.
Where Can I Purchase A NOAA Weather Radio?
Check with stores that sell electronics, or call the National Weather Service office closest to you. More information is available through the Internet at the National Weather Service’s NOAA Weather Radio Web Site – http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr
Further information on NOAA Radios may also be obtained through your local EMA Office.
