Weather Watch

By By

Residents of Emery and Carbon counties can now stay on top of severe weather activity. Known as the voice of the National Weather Service, NOAA Weather Radio is a live 24-hour source of weather forecasts and warnings, broadcast directly from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service offices. The new transmitter was installed on Horn Mountain, and is now broadcasting information from the Salt Lake City NWS Weather Forecast Office. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.
According to Meteorologist-in-Charge Larry Dunn, “This is a great success story for Emery and Carbon counties. Through the US Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service grant program, Emery County was able to purchase and donate this transmitter to the National Weather Service. We are very excited about what this means to the community and are extremely grateful to Emery County and USDA.”
The NWS in Salt Lake City approached Emery County about the grant for a NOAA Weather Radio transmitter/warning system. Sgt. Martin Wilson, director of emergency management for Emery County said, “I could see the long term value in having a reliable source of weather data that was tailored to our area. The need for weather data for the early warning system, agriculture operations and emergency planning and responses in the county were all considered when deciding to apply for the USDA grant.”
Having the endorsement of the county commissioners, Sgt.Wilson wrote the grant. The USDA approved the grant in Oct. 2001.
According to Dunn, “This expansion significantly increases our ability to reach the people living in Emery and Carbon counties and those others who travel here to enjoy recreational opportunities with vital weather warnings. When you don’t have a radio or TV turned on, having a seven-ban NOAA Weather Radio with an alarm helps you protect your family, yourself and your property. It allows us to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public very rapidly.”
Residents in Emery and Carbon counties can tune in to 162.5000 MHz for the broadcasts. The NOAA Weather Radio network has more that 750 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal water, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and US Pacific Territories.
Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. Some receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves on if a severe weather warning is broadcast and can be programmed to warn for weather and civil emergencies in only the counties you choose. Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers and AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio transmissions. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics stores.
NOAA.s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NWS operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. For more information about NOAA’s National Weather Service, see http://www.nws.noaa.gov. For more information about the programs and services available at the NWS Forecast Office in Salt Lake City, see http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/SaltLake.
NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. Additional information about NOAA Weather Radio is available at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.html.