NOAA Weather Radio Broadcasts
The Taunton office operates five NOAA Weather Radio transmitters
across southern New England. These broadcast weather forecasts
and provide current up to date weather information 24 hours per day.
A radio that
receives very high frequency (VHF) broadcasts is required to listen
to NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts. Some receivers such as police
scanners also include the "weather band." Other special radios
are made specifically for NOAA Weather Broadcasts.
Here is a list of the transmitters.
Main City Served Frequency Location of Transmitter
Boston, MA 162.475 Blue Hill, MA
Gloucester, MA 162.425 Gloucester, MA (Marine ONLY Broadcast)
Hartford, CT 162.475 Soapstone Mtn, North Somers, CT
Hyannis, MA 162.550 Camp Edwards, MA
Southern NH 162.525 Peterborough, NH (Pack Monadnock)
Providence, RI 162.400 Johnston RI (WPRO tower)
Worcester, MA 162.550 Mt. Asnebumskit (Paxton)
This map
will show you the location and approximate range of each transmitter.
By nature and design, NOAA Weather Radio coverage is limited to an
area within 40 miles of the transmitter. The quality of what is
heard is dictated by the distance from the transmitter, local terrain,
and the quality and location of the receiver. In general, those on
flat terrain or at sea, using a high quality receiver, can expect
reliable reception far beyond 40 miles. Those living in cities surrounded
by large buildings or in hilly areas may experience poor reception at
considerably less than 40 miles.
Broadcast Schedules
Our broadcasts include products that are repeated regularly every several minutes during the hour as
well as other forecasts and warnings that are only issued at specific times or as needed. For a complete
schedule click on the transmitter city name in the list above.
Automated Voice Improvement
The NWS is currently in the process of replacing the computer-generated voice currently
used on NOAA Weather Radio. You can hear samples of the new voices at
http://www.weather.gov/nwr/newvoice.htm
Weekly Tests
Every Wednesday between 10 AM and Noon, Eastern time, a test is conducted which tests the tone alert system. The test will not occur when severe weather is occurring or expected, and will be postponed to the first good weather day. This test provides a way to check the functioning of radio receiver alarms.
FIPS Codes For Weather Receivers
The newer NOAA Weather Radio receivers require special
codes so the receiver will send an alert when there is severe weather. Here
is a list of the codes for each of the counties for which the Boston office
forecasts.
Connecticut: Massachusetts: New Hampshire:
Hartford 009003 Barnstable 025001 Cheshire 033005
Tolland 009013 Bristol 025005 Hillsboro 033011
Windham 009015 Dukes 025007
Essex 025009
Rhode Island: Franklin 025011
Bristol 044001 Hampden 025013
Kent 044003 Hampshire 025015
Newport 044005 Middlesex 025017
Providence 044007 Nantucket 025019
Washington 044009 Norfolk 025021
Plymouth 025023
Suffolk 025025
Worcester 025027
Receiver Recalls
For information on weather radio receiver recalls, go to the
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPS) web site
and choose "Radios (Weather)" in the product Type list.
More Information About NOAA Weather Radio
NWR national home page
NOAA Weather Radio online pamphlet
FIPS codes throughout the US
Special-Needs NOAA Weather Radio
for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Individuals
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