Storm Coverage

[sox fan matt]

In an honest opinion, since we have no full time weather personalities like Brad Barton on KRLD, my question is about a weather radio. Are they a valueable resource and are they worth a purchase?

I ask because it not necessarily ties in directly to DFW Radio, but I do ask now that (as far as I am aware) we don't have a trusted resource in the business anymore)

Am i off base or off topic with the question? Thoughts?

 

[LibertyNT]

NOAA Weather Radios Are Worth It. While They Dont tell you whats going on necessarily they tell you weather info 24/7 365 aside from that once a month ask the meteorologist show.

When bad weather strikes they tell you where the storm is and warnings and stuff like that.

 

[crbigband]

I agree with the post that a weather radio is a good investment.

There is a difference between reporting on current weather predictions (with watches & warnings) and attempting to predict the weather based current conditions + utilizing radar and other meteorological instruments. Taking into account their accuracy factor most DFW meterologists are seldom ever correct despite the best scientific information available.

I have never met or spoken to him, but I will readily admit that it seemed to me that Mr. Barton got it right more often than anyone and that includes the weather personalities on TV. Which is why I find it so perplexing that KRLD would terminate his employ.

My 2 cents --

crbigband

 

[easttxtv]

The last one I had (the white plastic Midland for $29 that Walgreens had) worked well, even beeping loud with a blinking red light if you had the regular audio off and you were asleep. That beep woke me up with no problem.

Now I've gotta get a new one.

BTW, KRLD was using Ch.11's morning weatherman for their (taped in advance) on-air weather segments sometime in recent days. Yes, cheaper, and under the CBS umbrella, but not the same as Brad being there.

 

[Steve Eberhart]

A good point to be made is that even if a station has no live personnel, the FCC requires an operational EAS unit capable of interrupting normal programming to broadcast EAS information (weather warnings, etc). At minimum, stations will have that information and in situations of local emergency, local authorities can have the EAS broadcast that information too along with Amber Alerts and such.

It's not as good as live reporting on such a subject, but it does at least get it on the air in some form which is better than it used to be years ago when stations were automated.

In addition, systems such as Dave Scotts Unattended Weather are good alternatives for keeping stations up to date covering weather. They rely on cues directly from the National Weather Service that trigger audio cuts already pre-recorded. Again, not as good as live local but a pretty good alternative if you're rolling automated. The service also can call or text station personnel to alert them to advancing weather in order for them to determine if they need to proceed to the studio to take over live or call in or log on to the air computer to add more weather breaks and such.

 

[oldmanradio]

Sox Fan Matt,

In addition, below are some computer weather sites you may find useful:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/
The National Weather Service

http://www.weather.com/outlook/home...m=8&interactiveMapLayer=radar&animation=false
TruPoint radar from The Weather Channel. You can pinpoint the radar to zoom into your exact address. It also provides a new beta feature that predicts the direction storms will take during the next few hours.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/home...name=index_large_animated&bypassredirect=true
Doppler radar from The Weather Channel

http://www.weatherbonk.com/weather/...sName=weathermaps.weather.user.WeatherRequest
Weatherbonk.com

http://www.wunderground.com/
Weather Underground

http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/interstate/?from=drivfl
Interstate highway conditions and forecasts from The Weather Channel

Just a few of the things available.

If you download the free Weather Channel desktop icon that displays the current temperature in your area, it also will alert you to severe weather watches and warnings issued by The National Weather Service almost immediately. The sound of thunder will alert you to such watches and warnings if you have the volume turned up on your computer speakers.

Of course, all of the above sites are useful only if you have electricity or another power source.

A weather radio is a great tool in this part of the country. The only entity that issues severe weather watches and warnings is The National Weather Service. TV and radio weather-related employees are relay such information after The National Weather Service issues them.

Although probably obvious, make sure the radio has battery backup if and when the power in interrupted. And keep extra batteries on hand ... for the radio and your flashlights just in case.

 

[thunderradio]

Some stations have a good eas., some don't One station in DFW KKGM will only interupt its programming automatically if a tornado is on the ground. It doesn matter if a severe storm with 60mph or higher winds with golf balls size hail is in the area, they won't interupt. They limit their interuption to Dallas, and Tarrant counties. So Ellis,Denton, Palo Pinto, Collin,and Johnson counties are out of luck. The daytime signal does have an efective reach in these areas.

 

[Jay Walker]

If you have a scanner radio an other useful source of storm tracking info in near real time are the manyAmateur Radio Repeaters participating in the Skywarn program with the National Weather Service.

The Amateur Radio storm spotters are the eyes in the field for the NOAA office.
The list is too long to post here, but covers pretty much all North Central Texas counties.
Skywarn Repeater Directory Link:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/?n=repeat

Shameless promotion of my hobby but what the heck...
Jay

 

[Scotpfv]

Agree with the above poster.
A scanner is one of the best ways to keep up with rapidly moving storm systems. When we have severe weather I mute the TV sound and turn on the scanner. (Have SKYWARN programmed into a seperate bank). They often have info several minutes before the television news gets around to broadcasting it.

 

[Lancer]

Weather radio is no doubt the best way to be notified straight from the source. Unless you want to wait for Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh to quit bloviating long enough to get your warnings. It will warn any time of the day or wake me up in the middle of the night. Even if it's just a normal thunderstorm it gives me the opportunity to disconnect electronics throughout the house beforehand.

If you have a smoke detector why not add a weather detector? Thirty bucks is nothing for more peace of mind. Be sure to get one with SAME (Specific Area Messaging) so you don't have to hear all counties. I have mine programmed for Dallas, Collin & Tarrant. I won't hear warnings for any others.

 

[oldmanradio]

Weather radio beats EAS ... no contest.

If you are concerned about Texas weather, buy one.