NOAA Weather Radio Station KZZ-66 (Galesburg)

KZZ-66 operates 24 hours a day on a frequency of 162.400 MHz. KZZ-66 transmits at 300 watts of power, from the Galesburg Communications tower located 2 miles northeast of Galesburg.

KZZ-66 serves 4 counties in west central Illinois:

Henry (017073)
Knox (017095)
Mercer (017131)
Warren (017187)

Numbers in parentheses are used for the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME), utilized by many NOAA Weather Radio receivers.

The approximate coverage area is shown at left. This is based on computer projections, and may vary due to placement of your radio, direction of the transmitting antenna on the broadcast tower, and environmental issues. Click here for more details.

Listeners in Henry County can also receive severe weather warnings on station WXJ-73 in Rock Island, and WXL-22 in Princeton. Knox County warnings also air on WXJ-71 in Peoria, and WXJ-92 in Macomb. Mercer County warnings also air on WXJ-73 in Rock Island, and WXN-83 in Burlington, IA.

Routine Programming:

Regional Weather Synopsis: This product gives an overview of the weather patterns that will affect the Midwest the next couple days. It airs continuously (except in severe weather), and is updated around 4 AM, 10 AM, 3 PM, and 9 PM.
Galesburg and Vicinity Forecast: A forecast for central Illinois for the next 7 days. It airs continuously, and is routinely updated at 4 AM and 3:30 PM. Updates in between these times occur as necessary
Hourly Weather Roundup: Detailed hourly observations for the Galesburg Airport, as well as temperature and observed weather at many locations around the Midwest, are updated at 2 minutes and 10 minutes past each hour.
Hazardous Weather Outlook: This product gives a summary of expected weather hazards over the next 7 days, and information on when storm spotters may need to be activated. It airs from 6 to 10 AM, and 3 to 7 PM daily. It is updated around 11:30 AM as conditions warrant.
Climate Summaries: Daily summaries for observed conditions at Peoria International Airport air periodically from 5 to 9 AM, and 5 to 8 PM. Monthly summaries air on the first day of each month, periodically between 11 AM and midnight.
River Flood Statement: If the Spoon River at London Mills is above flood stage, a listing of current and forecast stages will be broadcast. These air every 15 minutes, and are updated at 3 AM, 11 AM, 3 PM and 9 PM.

During adverse weather conditions, some normal programming is suspended. This is done to broadcast more important information frequently.

During severe thunderstorm and tornado watches, and flood warnings, the following will NOT air: Regional Weather Synopsis, Climate Summary.
Most normal programming is eliminated during severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings. Broadcast cycles are limited to severe weather watches and warnings, flood warnings, and Hourly Weather Roundup (local conditions only).

When a severe weather watch or warning is issued, it is preceded by special alarm signals, which activate specially designed weather radios. These radios will alert you to the warning broadcast, through use of a siren or other means of notification. Radios that have the alarm feature and a battery backup are highly recommended. The cost of these radios range around $20 and upward. Click here for more information about weather radio receivers.

The alarm features will be used for the following messages:

Tornado Watches and Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings
Flash Flood Warnings
Blizzard Warnings
Non-Weather Emergency Messages
AMBER Alerts (SAME feature only)

This alarm feature is tested on Wednesdays between 10 AM and 1 PM. If severe weather is a threat, the test will be held the first available good-weather day.