(SAMPLE NEWS ARTICLE FOR NON-MEMBERS)
As we travel through the transition from cooler to wet weather, be sure to check on the driving conditions along your planned route of travel and sometime beyond your planned arrival time. As weather in Southeastern US is constantly changing, be cautious of high winds and adverse driving conditions due to precipitation.
Sources for weather information in SE U.S.
Smartphone Applications: Some apps, like Waze, offer user supported driver reports of weather slowdowns and hazardous conditions. Click here to download Waze from the Apple App Store. Click here to download Waze from the Google Play store.
Websites: NOAA www.weather.gov, Weather Channel www.weather.com (Enter City or ZIP for results)
About NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is an "All Hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).
Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Department of Commerce. NWR includes more than 1000 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the VHF public service band at these seven frequencies (MHz):
- 162.400
- 162.425
- 162.450
- 162.475
- 162.500
- 162.525
- 162.550
Find NOAA Geographical area maps and programmable weather radio frequencies at https://www.weather.gov/nwr
(note: NOT AM or FM frequencies, i.e. Orange County FL, Station Code WXJ70, Frequency 162.550)
NOAA: Dial-a-Forecast, weather forecast for (selected SE) geographical area, full U.S. list at: dial-a-forecast
Alabama
Birmingham 205-664-3010
Huntsville 256-890-8503 Mobile 251-633-6443
Arkansas
Little Rock 501-834-0308 (live)
Florida
Jacksonville 904-741-4370
Key West 305-295-1316
Melbourne 321-255-2900 Miami 305-229-4550 (English & Spanish)
Tallahassee 850-942-8851
Tampa Bay 813-645-2506
Georgia
Atlanta 770-632-1837
Louisiana
Lake Charles 337-439-0000
New Orleans 504-522-7330 Shreveport 318-635-7575
Mississippi
Jackson 601-936-2189 (*after hours)
Oklahoma
Ft. Smith 479-785-9000
Oklahoma City/Norman 405-325-3816 Tulsa 918-743-3311
Puerto Rico
San Juan 787-253-0855
Tennessee
Knoxville/Chattanooga/Smoky Mountain/Tri-Cities/Cumberland Plateau 423-586-3771 Memphis 901-544-0408
Nashville 615-754-4633
Texas
Amarillo 806-354-2278
Austin/San Antonio 830-609-2029
Brownsville 956-504-1432
Corpus Christi 361-289-0753
Dallas-Ft. Worth 817-429-2631 El Paso 505-589-4088
Houston 281-337-5074/7895
Lubbock 806-748-1071
Midland/Odessa 432-563-9292
San Angelo 325-949-8586
A Dixielander's Pick for NOAA-Approved Weather Radios
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Here's a brand recommended by fellow Dixielander, Marco Kathuria ('73 Glacier). This NOAA-approved weather radio is his favorite because it features a 5000mAh (18500mWh) Li-ion battery that can deliver up to 13 hours of listening at 50% volume. It can also charge more than one smartphone at a time. Marco also likes the fact that there are multiple options when it comes to powering the device: the built-in solar panel, hand cranking, USB-C, or using 3 AAA batteries. Explore the range of weather radios Mesqool has for sale on Amazon.com here.
Remember, Proper Planning is Safety, do all you can to ensure your GMCMH trip is weather ready!
Sources: NOAA, Weather Channel, Re-Post/Edit from Sunshine Statesmen Newsletter, Marco Kathuria