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NOAA Weather Radio
- Transmits weather information over VHF
radio frequencies 24 hours a day
- Provides up-to-the-minute weather
forecasts and information
- Provides a warning alarm or alert
during severe weather using SAME
Broadcasts
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts are made on
high-band VHF-FM frequenices ranging from 162.40 to 162.55
Megahertz. These frequencies are not found on the average home or
car radio...but can be obtained on a weather radio which is
available at most electronic or hobby stores.
Stations
Transmitters for NOAA Weather Radio in
Northern Arizona are located as follows:
Transmitter Location Call Sign Frequency
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Mount Elden at Flagstaff WXK-76 162.400
Porter Mountain east of WXK-76A 162.400
Show Low
Hopi Point at Grand Canyon WWF-52 162.475
Piney Hill near Window Rock WWF-99 162.550
Mingus Mountain northeast WWF-98 162.525
of Prescott
Greens Peak/White Mountains KXI-23 162.525
Mt Ord/Payson WWG-41 162.425
Program
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts in Northern
Arizona are programed at the National Weather Service Offics in
Flagstaff, Arizona. The programing for each station is tailored
to the interests and the needs of the local users. A programming
cycle is between 3 and 6 minutes long and is continuosly updated
and repeated.
Routine programming includes the following:
- Current Weather conditions from around
the region
- Local area forecasts with extended
outlooks
- Recreational forecasts
- Weather synopsis and summaries
- Local climate summaries
Under special circumstances, such as
inclement weather, other special messages will be broadcast such
as:
- Watches and warnings
- Short term forecasts
- Special weather statements
- Public information statements
Severe Weather
During times of inclement weather routine
programming may be interrupted by watches and warnings or other
special weather bulletins. The National Weather Service can
activate specially designed weather radios to alarm just prior to
broadcasting warnings and watches that affect the listening area
including:
- Severe thunderstorm
- Tornado
- Flash Flood
- Blizzard
Other pertinent weather information of
concern will be broadcast such as the latest information on heavy
snow, high winds, freezing rain and winter storms.
Nowcasts
Also known as short term forecasts,
nowcasts will be broadcasts when weather conditions of special
interest are expected to affect the immediate local listening
area. The nowcasts cover a time period generally from two to six
hours with more detail than the normal local forecasts.
Reception
Reception will depend on the location of
the receiver and upon atmospheric conditions. Since VHF radio
waves travel in straight lines, reception behind mountains or in
canyons may be poor. On the other hand, since most transmitters
are located at high elevations, reception at lower elevations
across the Arizona deserts may extend quite far.
Although NOAA Weather Radio is available to
an estimted 80 percent of the population (and is expected to
increase coverage to 95 percent), it remains a vastly underused
service and resource.
For the general public, travelers and
outdoor enthusiasts, NOAA Weather Radio provides unequaled means
of obtaining the latest weather information available as well as
the quickest source for warnings of natural hazards.
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