SAN DIEGO COUNTY GETS NEW MARINE NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER

Southwest California residents, boaters, and visitors now have access to marine weather information anytime thanks to a new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter recently installed on Mt. Soledad near La Jolla, Calif. The new transmitter is a cooperative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Flagship Properties, with site facilities provided by the U.S. Navy. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Residents of San Diego County can tune into162.425 Mhz on NOAA Weather Radio for the broadcasts from NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) in San Diego. The broadcasts began Dec. 5. NOAA Weather Radio, known as “The Voice of the National Weather Service,” is a live 24-hour source of the latest weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from nearby NWS forecast offices.

Jim Purpura, meteorologist in charge of the San Diego NWS office, said, “This radio and marine broadcast have been made possible through a generous donation by Flagship Properties, which was used to purchase the transmitter. This partnership also includes use of a site operated by the U.S. Navy. Together these partners now help us bring the National Weather Service vital weather services to people in an area that has been without this capability for many years.”

Purpura added, “Citizens can now have weather information available at their fingertips any time along the coast and the offshore waters.” The Mount Soledad transmitter significantly increases the NWS’ ability to reach the coastal areas as well as the coastal waters of San Diego County directly with marine weather warnings and forecasts. A seven-band NOAA Weather Radio in the boat, car, truck or in the home helps protect families, individuals and property. You don’t have to have a radio or television tuned to hear about changing weather patterns.”

John O’Brien, president of Flagship Properties, is a residential property developer, specializing in coastal properties in both Coronado and La Playa. He said he has always had a strong interest in private/public partnerships.

Purpura said, “John saw this as a great opportunity to help out and provide a much needed public service. He recognized that there was a need for a marine NWR transmitter along the coast of extreme southern California and stepped up to the plate to provide the much needed help.”

Ed Clark, the warning coordination meteorologist at the San Diego weather office, said, “NOAA Weather Radio allows us to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public in an effort to save lives and property, often saving five to 10 minutes or more.”

NOAA Weather Radio provides weather information, during natural or man-made disasters, and can be used to place safety information directly on the airwaves via the new transmitter to directly alert the public to take protective actions. It will also provide a quick avenue for notification during an AMBER Alert situation.

The NOAA Weather Radio network has over 870 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories.

The NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NOAA National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in San Diego: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sandiego

NOAA Weather Radio: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.html