NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA NOAA EMERGENCY RADIO NETWORK EXPANDS

Bringing lifesaving, emergency information to the public, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA National Weather Service) Binghamton added four new NOAA Weather Radio stations in upstate New York and northeast Pennsylvania. NOAA Weather Radio, “The Voice of the NOAA National Weather Service,” is a live, 24-hour source of weather forecasts and emergency warnings broadcast directly from NOAA Weather Service offices. The system can also be used for homeland security alerts. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.

The new weather radio stations are in Ithaca (WXN-59), Bath (WXN-55), Canisteo (WXN-29) and Norwich (KHC-49). In addition, a brand new state-of-the-art NOAA Weather Radio transmitter recently replaced an older transmitter at the Syracuse station (WXL-31).

“This expansion and upgrade to our NOAA Weather Radio network couldn’t have come at a better time as severe weather season soon will be upon us” said Peter Ahnert, meteorologist-in-charge of the NOAA Weather Service Binghamton office. The office is responsible for the NOAA Weather Radio network in central New York and northeast Pennsylvania.

“There are now 15 NOAA Weather Radio stations that serve our citizens in central New York and northeast Pennsylvania and we continue to work with state and local officials to expand and upgrade our network so that all citizens can receive life-saving weather warning information,” added Ahnert.

The new transmitters in New York and Pennsylvania are part of a nationwide NOAA Weather Radio network, which has more than 750 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories. The NOAA Weather Radio network is available to about 95 percent of all Americans.

Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and for about the cost of a pair of tennis shoes. Some receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves on if a severe weather warning is broadcast and can be programmed to warn for weather and civil emergencies in a specific county. Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some new televisions, scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers, and AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio transmissions. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics stores and over the Internet.

“To stay informed of threatening weather, every family should have a NOAA Weather Radio just like a smoke detector. NOAA Weather Radio could save your life if severe weather or a tornado affects your area,” said Dave Nicosia, NOAA National Weather Service Binghamton warning coordination meteorologist. According to Nicosia, “When the weather is fair, NOAA Weather Radio gives you up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and conditions. With a NOAA Weather Radio, weather forecasts and conditions are always at your finger tips.”

With the spring and summer season fast approaching, central New York and northeast Pennsylvania will again be vulnerable to severe thunderstorms, flash floods and tornadoes. The NOAA Weather Service in Binghamton recommends that all households, schools, churches, nursing homes, hospitals, businesses and other public gathering places get a NOAA Weather Radio to keep informed the next time severe weather threatens.

The 15 NOAA Weather Radio stations that serve central New York and northeast Pennsylvania are:

Binghamton WXL-38 at 162.475 Mhz
Syracuse WXL-31 at 162.550 Mhz
Elmira WXM-31 at 162.400 Mhz
Cooperstown WWH-35 at 162.450 Mhz
Walton WWH-34 at 162.425 Mhz
Stamford WWF-43 at 162.400 Mhz
Call Hill WXN-29 at 162.425 Mhz
Mount Wash WXN-55 at 162.450 Mhz
Ithaca WXN-59 at 162.500 Mhz
Norwich KHC-49 at 162.525 Mhz
Rochester KHA-53 at 162.400 Mhz
Herkimer County WXM-45 at 162.425 Mhz
Towanda PA WXM-95 at 162.550 Mhz
Scranton/Wilkes Barre WXL-43 at 162.550 Mhz
Kingston WXL-37 at 162.475 Mhz

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

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

NOAA Weather Radio Nationwide Transmitter Network: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr

Local NOAA Weather Radio Information: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/er/bgm/nwr/nwrhome.html