What is NOAA Weather Radio?

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio is the voice of the National Weather Service, broadcasting the latest area weather forecasts and conditions 24 hours a day.

It is an “all-hazards” warning system, used not only for immediate flood and weather related events, but also hazards like tsunamis, volcanic activity, hazardous releases, AMBER Child Abduction Alerts, and secondary hazards from terrorism and earthquakes.

Under a 1975 White House policy statement, NOAA Weather Radio was designated the sole government operated radio system to provide warning information direct to the American people for both natural and technological hazards. NOAA Weather Radio is the perfect complement to local broadcast weather news, as well as the Internet and other weather information sources.

Features of NOAA Weather Radio

Weather Radio has a warning alarm feature, instantly alerting the listener to fast-breaking warning messages around the clock. The warning alarm operates in a muted mode and is activated by your local National Weather Service offices when a warning message is transmitted. Some models activate flashing warning lights and bed vibrators for the hearing impaired.

Local emergency management organizations can use NOAA Weather Radio to activate the EAS (Emergency Alert System) in local emergencies using Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) technology. NOAA Weather Radio monitors other authorized EAS sources and automatically retransmits their emergency messages.

NOAA Weather Radio and EAS capabilities help protect lives and property.

NOAA Weather Radios use battery back ups in case of power outages.

NOAA Weather Radios are portable. They can be used at home, at work, in school, while traveling or boating, while camping, hiking or at play.

There are over 570 NOAA Weather Radio Stations in the U. S. Sixteen of these stations broadcast in Washington State. With the addition of the Mt. Octopus radio station located near Forks, WA. The Tsunami Warning system for the Washington Coast is now complete.

Each weather radio station in Washington tailors programming to meet the needs of those within the listening area.

NOAA Weather Radio is safety for you and your family for the cost of a pair of shoes.

Weather Radio Warning alarm activation occurs for the following immediate events:

• High Wind Warning

• Marine Storm Warning

• Flood Warning

• Flash Flood Watch and Warning

• Tidal Flood Warning

• Winter Storm Warning

• Blizzard Warning

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch and Warning

• Tornado Watch and Warning

• Tsunami Watch and Warning
  
  (In cooperation with local emergency management officials)

• Volcanic Activity including Lahars

• Enemy Attack

• Nuclear Accident

• AMBER Child Abduction Alerts

• Dam Failures

• Secondary Hazards from Terrorism or Earthquake

• Other Hazardous Events including Chemical Releases

• Go to the NOAA web site for more information.
  
• Click here for information on types of NOAA Weather Radios and a list of retailers that offer these radios.Washington Military Department, Emergency Management Division, 2002