KZZ-66 operates 24 hours a day on a frequency of 162.400 MHz. KZZ-66 transmits at 300 watts of power, from a tower located 2 miles northeast of Galesburg.
The following counties are included in the coverage area:
- Henry (017073)
- Knox (017095)
- Mercer (017131)
- Warren (017187)
Numbers in parentheses are used for the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME), utilized by some NOAA Weather Radio receivers.
Listeners in Henry County can also receive severe weather warnings on station WXJ-73 in Rock Island, and WXL-22 in Princeton. Knox County warnings also air on WXJ-71 in Peoria, and WXJ-92 in Macomb. Mercer County warnings also air on WXJ-73 in Rock Island, and WXN-83 in Burlington, IA.
Routine Programming:
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Regional Weather Synopsis: This product gives an overview of the weather patterns that will affect the Midwest the next couple days. It airs continuously (except in severe weather), and is updated around 5 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM.
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Short Term Forecast: This product gives detailed information on weather that will affect the listening area within the next few hours. It only airs as necessary, and is usually updated at least once an hour when it does air.
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Galesburg and Vicinity Forecast: A forecast for central Illinois for the next 7 days. It airs continuously, and is routinely updated at 4 AM and 3:30 PM. Updates in between these times occur as necessary.
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Hourly Weather Roundup: Detailed hourly observations for the Galesburg Airport, as well as temperature and observed weather at many locations around the Midwest, are updated at 2 minutes and 10 minutes past each hour.
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Climate Summaries: Daily summaries for observed conditions at the Greater Peoria Regional Airport air from 5 to 9 am, and to 8 pm, at the top of the hour, and at :15, :30 and :45 each hour. Monthly summaries air on the first day of each month, from 11 AM to midnight, at :15 and :45 each hour.
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Travelers Forecast: This forecast gives expected weather and temperatures at several major cities around the Midwest. It airs from 6 to 11 AM, and 5 to 10 PM, at :05 and :35 each hour.
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River Flood Statement: If the Spoon River at London Mills is above flood stage, a listing of current and forecast stages will be broadcast. These air every 7 minutes, and are updated at 3 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM.
Non-Routine Programming:
During adverse weather conditions, some normal programming is suspended. This is done to broadcast more important information frequently.
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During severe thunderstorm and tornado watches, and flood warnings, the following will NOT air: Regional Weather Synopsis, Travelers Forecast, Climate Summary.
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Most normal programming is eliminated during severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. Broadcast cycles are limited to severe weather watches and warnings, flood warnings, Short Term Forecasts, and Hourly Weather Roundup (local conditions only).
When a severe weather watch or warning is issued, it is preceded by special alarm signals, which activate specially designed weather radios. These radios will alert you to the warning broadcast, through use of a siren or other means of notification. Radios that have the alarm feature and a battery backup are highly recommended. The cost of these radios range around $30, but may be as high as $80 for the programmable models, which allow you to screen out warnings that do not apply to your area. These radios can be found at many electronic stores.
The alarm features will be used for the following messages:
- Tornado Watches and Warnings
- Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings
- Flash Flood Warnings
- Blizzard Warnings
- Non-Weather Emergency Messages
- AMBER Alerts (SAME feature only)
This alarm feature is tested Wednesday between 11 AM and noon. If severe weather is a threat, the test will be held the first available good-weather day.
NOAA Weather Radio All-Hazards Topics:
ILX NWR Home, Peoria, Springfield, Champaign, Jacksonville, Shelbyville, Paris, Newton, Bloomington, Galesburg, NWR SAME, NWR Receivers, Statewide Info, National NWR Homepage, Report an NWR Outage
