The Voice of the National Weather Service
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NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service Office. These voice broadcasts include official National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazardous weather information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The radio network is provided as a public service by NOAA, and includes over 1000 transmitters covering all 50 states and the adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. Weather Radio broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at seven different frequencies. In the Florida Keys, broadcasts are available from three stations:
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Station WXJ95 broadcasts from a 1000-watt transmitter at Sugarloaf Key, and operates at a frequency of 162.400 megahertz. Broadcasts are available from Marine VHF Channel 2, typically between the Marquesas Keys and Marathon.
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Station WNG663 broadcasts from a 300-watt transmitter at Tea Table Key, and operates at a frequency of 162.425 megahertz. Broadcasts are available from Marine VHF Channel 5, typically between Marathon and Key Largo.
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Station WWG60 broadcasts from a 300-watt transmitter at Princeton (near Homestead in Miami-Dade County), and operates at a frequency of 162.450 megahertz. Broadcasts are available from Marine VHF Channel 4, typically between North Key Largo and Ocean Reef.
Weather Radio broadcasts can also be accessed via a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio is an “All Hazards” network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. NOAA, in conjunction with Federal, State, and Local emergency managers and other public officials, will broadcast warning and post-event information for all types of hazards, including natural hazards (hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunami), environmental hazards (such as oil spills or radiological releases), and public safety hazards (such as AMBER alerts or 911 telephone outages).
However, in the Florida Keys, the most common daily use of the Weather Radio network is to access marine weather information. Each broadcast cycle repeats about every 7–10 minutes, and includes the following routine products:
- Station Information.
- Hourly Roundup of Local Observations
- Forecast for Florida Keys Island Communities
- Marine Weather Synopsis and Gulf Stream Information
- Forecast for Florida Keys Coastal Waters
- Florida Keys Tide Predictions
- Plain-Language Ship Reports (when available)
In addition, the following “non-routine” products are broadcast when the situation warrants:
- Hurricane and Tropical Storm Advisories and Local Statements
- Tropical Weather Outlook
- Tornado, Severe Thunderstorm, and Flood Warnings and Statements.
- Significant Weather Advisories
- Special Weather Statements
- Special Marine Warnings
- Dense Fog Advisories
- Marine Weather Statements
- Coastal Flood Statements
- Beach Hazards Statements (for high-impact red tide events – coming soon).
- Short Term Forecasts
- Climate Reports
- Public Information Statements
Prior to 1999, all Weather Radio broadcasts were voice-recorded by staff at local weather offices around the country. However, beginning in 1999, a new system was implemented utilizing computer-synthesized voices. Local forecasters still create all content and manage all programming. However, the actual broadcast “voices” are generated by computer most of the time. In fact, the audio files for some of the most commonly used marine weather products are available via one click so that you can access easily via a web browser on your desktop PC, tablet, or smartphone! Check it out here:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/key/?n=marineradio
Finally, these same audio files are provided via telephone at (305) 295-1316. Upon encounter with the main menu, select “1” for forecast information. Then, you can enter the following numbers for marine weather information:
4 – Forecast for Florida Bay
5 – Forecast for extreme Southeastern Gulf of Mexico beyond five fathoms, including Dry Tortugas and Rebecca Shoal Channel.
6 – Forecast for Hawk Channel
7 – Forecast for Straits of Florida
8 – Forecast for extreme Southeastern Gulf of Mexico inside five fathoms.
9 – Florida Keys Tide Information
If you have any feedback regarding the quality, presentation, or pronunciation of information available via the NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio, please let us know, as we are always looking to improve (e-mail: kennard.kasper@noaa.gov). Meanwhile, the “H” season is just around the corner, so start dusting off those preparedness plans. As always, be weather-ready, and stay safe!
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