California High Desert Gets New Weather Warning System 2-24-05 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration With severe weather always threatening, residents of the California high desert can now stay on top of storm activity with a direct link to forecasters. NOAA Weather Radio, “The Voice of the National Weather Service,” is a live 24-hour source of weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from National Weather Service offices.

The new transmitter was installed in the El Paso Mountains and is now broadcasting information from the San Joaquin Valley NWS Weather Forecast Office, located in Hanford, CA, according to Steve Mendenhall, Meteorologist in Charge.

"This expansion significantly increases our ability to reach the community directly with vital warnings. When you don’t have a radio or TV turned on, having a seven band NOAA Weather Radio with an alarm helps you protect your family, yourself and your property,” Mendenhall said.

Residents In and around the Antelope Valley, including those in the desert portions of Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, and San Bernardino counties can tune in to station WGN-659 at 162.425 MHz. The broadcast can also be heard in the Tehachapi Valley.  Some of the larger communities included in the listening area are Lancaster, Palmdale, Ridgecrest, Barstow, Mojave, and Tehachapi.

“NOAA Weather Radio allows us to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public,” said Mendenhall.

The NOAA Weather Radio network has over 900 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. 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 your county. 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 and on-line.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service 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.

WEB SITES:
NOAA Weather Radio home page
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.html

National Weather Service
http://weather.gov

National Weather Service - San Joaquin Valley
http://weather.gov/hanford