The National Weather Service in Key West operates two NOAA Weather Radio stations serving the Florida Keys and its adjacent waters. These stations operate on 162.400 MHz (serving the Keys from Key West through Marathon) and 162.450 MHz (serving the Keys from Grassy Key through Key Largo). In addition, a transmitter broadcast from our neighboring office in Miami on 162.425 MHz (serving the extreme upper Keys including Key Largo and Ocean Reef) is available. NOAA Weather Radio is the voice of the National Weather Service, providing critical weather warning information for the protection of life and property. NOAA Weather Radio also provides commercial-free broadcasting of weather forecasts and observations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. NOAA Weather Radio is an all-hazards public warning system which broadcasts emergency messages to the public as necessary 24 hours a day. These emergency messages are broadcast for natural hazards (weather emergencies), technological and industrial emergencies (radiation release, chemical releases from accidents), AMBER alerts (child abduction with significant endangerment threat), and terrorist attacks (Homeland Security). NOAA Weather Radio is the primary means to activate the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for weather emergencies.
Here in the Florida Keys, you may also listen to NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts via television cable on Channel 76 (Monroe County Government Channel). You may watch the streaming broadcasts from Channel 76, including instructions for streaming audio for a compatible phone, by visiting the Monroe County Television website.
Special Note to Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) NOAA Weather Radio receivers: To set your radio to only broadcast Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages, the code you need for Monroe County is 012087. Mariners: No special codes exist for marine zones. If you use a SAME NOAA Weather Radio receiver, then set your code for "all" according to the manufacturer's instructions. Traveling? You may consult station listings across the country, all of the SAME county codes here, or dial 1-888-NWR-SAME (1-888-697-7263) for more information.
Don't have a NOAA Weather Radio? You'll find information on radio manufacturers and commercial-grade EAS receivers right here.
We invite your comments about our NOAA Weather Radio broadcast. We are interested in:
In addition, we are considering several new services using new technologies installed at the National Weather Service in Key West to support the NOAA Weather Radio program since autumn 1999. We may consider weekly forums including "Ask a Meteorologist...", a specific marine-oriented program addressing concerns of all who depend on coastal waters weather services, and frequent, live broadcasts to provide highly-detailed, critical information when hazardous weather threatens the Keys. Please write our Warning Coordination Meteorologist to share your comments and concerns about our weather broadcasts.