New San Diego Marine NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter Dedicated

Southern California residents, boaters and visitors can now access marine weather information from the new NOAA Weather Radio with the dedication of a new transmitter on Mt. Soledad near La Jolla, Calif. The new transmitter is a cooperative effort between the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Flagship Properties, with site facilities provided by the U.S. Navy.

NOAA Weather Radio, which is operated by the National Weather Service (NWS), sends weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public, with the goal or saving lives and protecting property.

Residents of San Diego County can now tune in to 162.425 MHz on NOAA Weather Radio for the broadcasts from the NWS in San Diego. NOAA Weather Radio (NWR), known as “The Voice of the National Weather Service,” is a 24-hour source of the latest weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from nearby NWS forecast offices. The Mount Soledad transmitter significantly increases the NWS’ ability to reach people living in the coastal land areas and on the coastal waters of San Diego County to provide marine weather warnings and forecasts.

Representatives from the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, California State Office of Emergency Services and NWS participated in a dedication ceremony today at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in San Diego. The transmitter was made possible by a donation from John O’Brien, President of Flagship Properties.

“Together, these partners help us bring vital weather services to this area,” said Jim Purpura, meteorologist in charge of the San Diego NWS office. “Citizens now have marine weather information available at their fingertips along the coast and offshore. A seven-band NOAA Weather Radio in the boat, car, truck or home helps protect families, individuals and property. NOAA Weather Radio will give weather alerts without the need of a radio or television.”

“When you consider that approximately 150 million people — about 52 percent of the total population of the United States -- live in coastal counties, the need for more marine-based NOAA Weather Radio transmitters is pretty clear,” said Vickie Nadolski, director of the National Weather Service’s Western Region.

John O’Brien, president of Flagship Properties, is a residential property developer, who he has always had a strong interest in private/public partnerships.

“John saw this as a great opportunity to help out and provide a much needed public service,” Purpura said. “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.”

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 directly alerting the public to take protective actions. It also provides 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 NWS is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NWS 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.htm