Full Notification

NOAA Weather Radio is a Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U. S. Department of Commerce. As the "Voice of the National Weather Service," it provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information from local National Weather Service (NWS) Offices. Weather messages are repeated every 4 to 6 minutes and are routinely updated every 1 to 3 hours, or more frequently in rapidly changing local weather. Most stations operate 24 hours daily.

The regular broadcasts are specifically tailored to the weather information needs of the people within the service area of the transmitter. The typical coverage area of a transmitter is a 30 – 40 mile radius around the transmitter site. Other specialized information, such as hydrological forecasts and climatological data are also broadcast depending on the needs of the area covered.

A NOAA Weather Radio is a device available that can warn you of impending severe weather, or of a different type disaster, 24-hours a day. During severe weather, NWS meteorologists can interrupt the routine weather broadcasts and insert special warning messages concerning imminent threats to life and property. The meteorologist can also add special signals to warnings that will trigger "alerting" features on especially equipped receivers. A NOAA Weather Radio, when set to alert mode, will turn on automatically when it receives a warning from the NWS.

National Weather Service offices will also broadcast Civil Emergency Messages at the request of local authorities. In many states, AMBER Alerts are also broadcast on NOAA Weather Radio. it is an "All Hazard" warning system.

NOAA Weather Radios are made by several manufacturers and come in a variety of types. Some also contain AM/FM receivers and can be used as clock radios. Higher end models can be set to alarm by specific area and/or a specific warning.

NOAA Weather Radio currently broadcasts from over 400 FM transmitters on seven frequencies on the VHF band, ranging from 162.400 to 162.550 megahertz (MHz) in fifty states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and Saipan. These frequencies are outside the normal AM or FM broadcast bands.

Remember to change the backup batteries (if there are any) in the radio every time you change your clock in the spring and fall. You will be assured there are fresh batteries in the radio during an emergency.

Riverside Emergency Management have three different types NOAA All Hazards Radios available for sale for starting at $30.00. We will supply batteries for the backup system and program the radios and you do not have to pay sales tax like the one you would if you purchased the radio in the stores. Contact the Riverside Office of Emergency Management at 816-741-1191 or come into the Riverside Police/Fire station located at 2990 NW Vivion Road for more information. NOAA radios make perfect gift for friends and loved ones.