NOAA Weather Radio, the voice of the National Weather Service, provides continuous weather broadcasts 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

     To receive the broadcasts originating from the National Weather Service, you need a special radio capable of receiving signals in the Very High Frequency (VHF) public service band.  162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 152.525, and 162.550 megahertz are the frequencies in use for NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts.  Tennnessee is served by a number of transmitters located as shown in the box below. 

     National Weather Service personnel

prepare weather information that is repeated every three to six minutes.  Broadcasts include area forecasts for the next seven days, current weather conditions, radar and short-term

forecasts, weather summaries, climatic data, river and lake stage readings and other

specialized information.

     NOAA Weather Radio is useful all the time, but becomes even more important during

severe or hazardous winter weather.  During episodes of severe weather, normal

broadcasts are interrupted and focus shifted to the hazardous weather threat.  Watches,

warnings and statements are given the highest priority and are updated as conditions change.

     In an emergency, each station will transmit a warning alarm tone signal as well as the SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) codes, followed by information on the

emergency situation.  These signals are

capable of activating specially-designed

receivers by producing a visual and/or audible alarm. Not all weather band receivers have this capability, but all radios that receive NOAA Weather Radio can receive the emergency broadcasts.  The warning alarm and SAME codes are tested each Wednesday, usually between 11 am and noon, weather permitting.

     Commercial radio and television stations as well as cable television companies are

encouraged to use NOAA Weather Radio and may freely rebroadcast Weather Radio information.  NOAA Weather Radio is also a major part of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) with improved technology to speed critical weather warning information through commercial broadcast outlets.

 

NOAA Weather Radio

Friday, February 29, 2008

 

NOAA Weather Radio Serving Tennessee

Location           Frequency                     

Knoxville    …..….162.475 MHz                

Chattanooga……162.550 MHz                

Tri-Cities  ...….....162.550 MHz                 

LaFollette .……...162.450 MHz