NOAA Weather Radio (original) (raw)

| | | Audio "voice" links to products from NOAA Weather Radio Buying a weather radio receiver Programming your county SAME codes Nationwide NOAA Weather Radio information | | ------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts the latest weather information from your local National Weather Service (NWS) office through 400 FM transmitters on seven frequencies in the VHF band, ranging from 162.400 to 162.550 megahertz (MHz) in fifty states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Saipan. These frequencies are outside the normal AM or FM broadcast bands. Weather messages are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and are routinely updated every 1 to 3 hours or more frequently when severe weather strikes. During severe weather, NWS forecasters can interrupt the routine weather broadcasts and insert special warning messages concerning imminent threats to life and property. The forecaster can also add special signals to warnings that trigger "alerting" features of specially equipped receivers. In the simplest case, this signal activates audible or visual alarms, indicating that an emergency condition exists within the radio listening area and alerts the listener to turn up the volume and stay tuned for more information. More sophisticated receivers can be programmed for individual counties and are automatically turned on when an alert is received.

County SAME ID NOAA Weather Radio Stations Broward 012011 Miami, Palm Beach, and Spanish Station Collier 012021 Naples and Ft Myers Glades 012043 Ft Myers and Belle Glade Hendry 012051 Naples, Ft Myers, and Belle Glade Miami-Dade 012086 Miami, Princeton, and Spanish Station Monroe 012087 Naples, Tea Table Key, Princeton, and Key West Palm Beach 012099 Palm Beach and Belle Glade

On June 2012, a new Spanish NOAA Weather Radio station began broadcasting off a transmitter in Hialeah. This Spanish language transmitter serves Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.

Here are the NOAA Weather Radio stations across South Florida along with their frequencies:

Since 1975, NOAA Weather Radio has been the sole Government-operated radio system providing direct warnings for both natural disasters and nuclear attack. This concept has recently been expanded to include warnings for all hazardous conditions that pose a threat to life and safety, both at the local and national level.

Special radios that receive only NOAA Weather Radio, both with and without special alerting features, are available from several manufacturers. In addition, other manufacturers are including NOAA Weather Radio as special features on an increasing variety of receivers. NOAA Weather Radio capability is currently available on some automobile, aircraft, marine, citizens band, and standard AM/FM radios as well as communications receivers, transceivers, scanners, and cable TV.

By nature and design, NOAA Weather Radio coverage is limited to an area within about 40 miles of the transmitter. Reception of this broadcast depends on the distance from the transmitter, local terrain, and the quality and location of the receiver. In general, those on flat terrain or at sea, using a high quality receiver, can expect reliable reception far beyond 40 miles. Those living in cities surrounded by large buildings and those in mountain valleys with standard receivers may experience little or no reception at considerably less than 40 miles. If possible, a receiver should be tested in the location where it will be used prior to purchase.

If you have additional questions, please email Chuck Caracozza.