NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is the official voice of the National Weather Service.  This network has eight transmitters in our region in the following locations and frequencies.

• Philadelphia, PA 162.475
• Howell, NJ   162.45
• Lewes, DE 162.550
• Atlantic City, NJ 162.4
• Allentown, PA 162.4
• Sudlersville, MD 162.5
• Franklin Twp. (Hardystown), NJ 162.5
• Coatesville(Hibernia), PA 162.425

NWR provides a wide array of weather programing including up to the minute warning products for severe weather. You can listen to your seven day forecast, current weather across the region, Marine forecasts, climate information and much more.  The radio also has the ability to alert you when severe weather strikes.

During our open house on Sept 20^th we raffled off two weather radios. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate our winners The Peterson family (top) and the Salvatore family (bottom) with NOAA Weather Focal Point Mitchell Gaines presenting. For those that entered and didn’t win or not make it to our open house, you can purchase a weather radio at many retail outlets or search online.  

Here are some Q/A’s about NWR.  If you have further questions/concerns or wish to provide feedback please contact Mitchell.Gaines@noaa.gov.

Q: How long has NOAA Weather Radio been in existence?

A: The first Weather Radio broadcasts were done in the 1950’s. However, it took some time for the development of what we know today as NWR. A severe weather outbreak in 1974 was a critical weather event which led to nationwide deployment.

Q: What information does NWR provide?

A: It provides your seven day forecast updated by 4am and 4pm, current weather observations, hazardous weather outlook, daily climate information, marine forecasts and observations, short term forecasts, special weather statements and any watches or warnings within a minute  of being issued.  

Q: You touched on earlier that the NWR can alert you when a severe warning is issued, how is this done?

A: Many weather radios are designed to receive a tone for a particular warning product. This tone triggers all powered weather radios alert to go off. In most cases a light will flash on the Weather Radio and the tone is heard even in the middle of the night. Weather Radios can be programmed to block out certain product tones as well.

Q: I’m unsure if I’m getting warnings properly do you run a weekly test or have a suggestion to correct the issue?

A: Yes, we run a weekly test at 11:30 am each Wednesday morning. If severe weather is present we postpone the test to the next good weather day. If you’re having trouble getting warnings and did not receive the test our best advice would be to make sure the weather radio is programmed properly. If an issue is present with NWR we normally have a statement out or a social media posting. However, calls from the general public @ 609-261-6000 between 8 am and 4pm can tell us if the issue is more widespread.