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How a NOAA Weather Radio Warning is Disseminated
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Your local National Weather Service (NWS) Office uses
available data sources such as Doppler Radar, Satellite Imagery, Surface Observations, and
Spotter Reports to monitor hazardous weather threats.
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If the threat of a tornado, severe thunderstorm, or flash flood is sufficiently
high, then a warning is issued.
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The first method of dissemination, normally, is to broadcast live on the NOAA
Weather Radio (NWR). If the warning is within the "official" NWR broadcast range
(about 40 miles), a 1050 hertz alarm tone precedes the warning. This 1050 hertz alarm tone
automatically activates NWR receivers equipped with the tone alert feature. The alarm tone
lasts about 9 seconds, and allows people to deactivate their alarm and listen to the
warning broadcast. The NWR is also able to integrate into the Emergency Alert System
(EAS), using the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME). The EAS is activated for life
threatening weather events in specific areas, and incorporates all radio, TV, and cable
stations. The weather threat is quickly disseminated on these commercial
stations, reaching a wide audience in the affected area(s).
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As the warning is being disseminated on the NWR and EAS, a "hardcopy" of
the warning is being generated using computer software. Menu driven software allows the
Meteorologists to quickly select the type of warning needed, the valid time of the
warning, and the counties that must be warned. Information such as affected areas or
communities, timing of severe weather, and a safety message is included in this warning.
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Once this "hardcopy" warning is generated, it is broadcast on the NWR,
providing additional warning detail to NWR listeners. The warning is also sent, via
satellite uplink, to a wide variety of customers, including the NOAA Weather Wire Service,
Internet, The Weather Channel, and to major news wire services, such as AP, UPI, etc.
These services distribute the warning to their customers, which include many local TV and
radio stations. The local radio and TV stations then disseminate the warning to their
listening and viewing audience.
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Emergency Managers enact their local severe weather plans, such as activating local
dissemination systems, positioning storm spotters, or activating outdoor sirens, as
needed.
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Updated information on the storm position and spotter reports is provided in
follow-up Severe Weather Statements and broadcast on the NWR as it becomes
available.
Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the most timely and complete warning services.
