One of our favorite features of our site is the feed from our NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio that provides not only mundane information like forecasts but also crucial life-saving information during severe weather. Unfortunately the computer sound card that receives the audio feed from our scanner failed two days ago so the audio feed is currently down.
Running our site is a pretty expensive endeavor – The various hardware systems, software and data connections aren’t cheap. Failures like this add to the cost. That is why we have asked for donations from time to time to help offset the expenses we incur in running the site.
The replacement part for our weather radio system is on order and we should have it back up and running next week. It is somewhat “good” timing in that the National Weather Service is performing work on their system at the same time and has warned about outages in their broadcast.
ThorntonWeather.com believes so firmly that every house should have a weather radio, we are giving one away for Severe Weather Awareness Week.
As the nation’s midsection digs out from an extraordinary day of severe weather and tornadoes, Colorado’s Severe Weather Awareness Week kicks off. To raise awareness of the dangerous weather Thornton residents face each year, ThorntonWeather.com is going to give away a NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio *.
We have long said that every resident should own a weather radio. These devices tap directly into the National Weather Service and sound an alarm when severe weather is approaching. Life saving information and instructions are then broadcast giving you the precious moments that you may have to take action before disaster strikes.
To help raise awareness of severe weather and these devices, we are giving away a Midland WR-120B weather radio. The radio has all of the essential features including SAME alert programming, a siren and voice alert, battery backup and it is trilingual.
It is our goal that even if you don’t win the radio, you will take action and purchase a weather radio on your own. To learn more about these important devices and why you should own one, click here.
So how do you win? It is easy!
All you have to do is share our Facebook page or Google+ page with all of your friends telling them how great a resource ThorntonWeather.com is and ask them to ‘like’ us or add us to their ‘circles.’
Simply follow the links below and click ‘Share’ if on Facebook or ‘Share this post’ on Google+. Be sure to do this from the postings linked below so that we can see that you shared it and in doing so you are automatically entered.
We will then randomly pick a winner on Monday, April 23 after Severe Weather Awareness Week is over.
* Contest is open to residents of the Denver / Boulder metropolitan area (verified by shipping address). Weather radio will be shipped directly to the winning contestant from Amazon.com. Allow up to 2 weeks for delivery after the contest ends.
Weather radios provide life saving information when severe weather strikes. 'The voice of the National Weather Service' can even sing Christmas carols.
NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is called ‘the voice of the National Weather Service’ and provides critical and life saving information when severe weather strikes. ‘Tom’ is one of the latest voices that you hear when listening to it and in the holiday spirit, NOAA had ‘Tom’ sing a classic Christmas carol.
Listen to ‘Tom’ sing Deck the Halls below
NWR began in the late 1990s and now transmitters for the service allow coverage across most of the nation. When the weather is calm, listeners hear current conditions, forecasts and other weather related news. It is however when severe weather strikes that NWR reaches its real potential.
Many of today’s radios can be programmed to turn on automatically and sound an alert when severe weather or another national emergency occurs. These alerts can make the difference between life and death, particularly when a fast developing situation like tornadoes occur.
We have long extolled the virtues of the system and recommended that all homes should have them, particularly in places like Colorado that are prone to tornadoes. It can also provide critical information during other types of disasters like earthquakes, chemical spills, and AMBER alerts.
‘Tom’ is one of the current text to speech voices of NOAA Weather Radio. He, along with ‘Donna’ and ‘Javier’ are the voices you hear when listening to the system.
On June 3, 1981, Thornton was the site of the most destructive tornado in the history of the Denver metro area. The City of Thornton is now evaluating options to warn residents of severe weather threats. (City of Thornton archives)
Visitors to ThorntonWeather.com have often asked us if the city was taking any steps to protect its citizens and warn them about severe weather. The city – and Adams County – are lacking any type of alert system. Following last year’s ‘Summer of Storms,’ we were told the city would look into it.
Current options for citizens range from the Emergency Alert System used by television and radio broadcasters, free and pay Internet services as well as NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (weather radio). As we have discussed previously, these systems have their limitations.
At this week’s city council update session, the Thornton City Council heard a presentation from city staff on the alternatives available. Utilizing Reverse 911 and contracting with a third party provider were two of the items discussed.
Read the presentation city staff gave to the Thornton City Council below
In trying to identify ways to keep citizens aware of deteriorating weather conditions, city staff told council, “Technology is changing so quickly that supporting a single system would not be efficient.”
The Denver area is at the western edge of Tornado Alley and as we have seen historically and in recent days, the danger is real. Click image for larger view. Image courtesy NOAA.
Rather than implement their own system, staff recommended the city rely upon the federal government and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) forthcoming Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS).
Slated for widespread deployment in 2010, IPAWS will take the old Emergency Alert System and move it into the modern age by leveraging new communication technologies such as email and cellular phones.
Mayor Erik Hansen told ThorntonWeather.com, “The City of Thornton recognizes the dangers of severe weather and we are actively working to identify solutions to protect its citizens.”
While the city waits for IPAWS, staff said they recommend the “development of a Weather Awareness Public Education Program that would be implemented in the spring of each year.” They further would work to encourage residents to purchase weather radios.
ThorntonWeather.com’s Take
We are pleased that the city is finally taking some steps in the right direction – albeit 29 years late.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is essential to protecting you and your family.
The implementation of a severe weather education program is also a step in the right direction, assuming it takes the form of something more substantial than the simple brochure the city developed this year.
Each spring the National Weather Service (NWS) offers storm spotter training seminars. These would likely be overkill for average citizens however we think it would be ideal for the City of Thornton to partner with the Denver / Boulder NWS office to offer education sessions for citizens. These could be taped and then shown on Channel 8 and on the city’s website.
We do have our reservations about waiting for and relying on the forthcoming IPAWS system when commercial systems are available, proven and ready now for the city to implement. Big government projects rarely are completed on time and often do not perform as expected. Hopes are high for IPAWS but we are cautious on giving it any sort of endorsement.
Granted, severe weather on par with the 1981 tornado is rare however last year’s severe weather and the Windsor tornado of two years ago show the danger is present. If a warning system saves one life, the cost incurred is well worth it and we hope the city continues to stay on top of this issue – we will certainly be watching.
What is the best way to get information about severe weather? A weather radio. (File photo)
No matter whether it is a blizzard in the winter or tornadoes and hail in the summer, it is important that everyone knows where to turn for information about developing weather conditions. Keeping an eye on the sky is fine but oftentimes there is dangerous weather brewing that you may not see.
How dangerous is the weather? Consider this: In 2008, 566 people across the United States were killed by weather-related causes and 2,899 were injured – and that was a below average year. Of those, 12 were Coloradoans that were killed with 100 Coloradoans injured. Over $29 billion was paid out in property and crop losses across the nation, $166 million in Colorado alone.
The danger is real and with the severe weather we have seen recently, residents are wondering how best to keep themselves and their families safe. Tuning in the TV or radio or checking your favorite weather website is one way but what if you aren’t near your computer or don’t have your TV on? What if severe weather strikes in the middle of the night?
It is important to note that there is only one official source for weather related alerts and warnings – the National Weather Service (NWS). All watches, warnings and alerts you see and hear about originate with the NWS and by far the best way to be proactively warned of severe weather is what is commonly referred to as a “weather radio.”
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. When a weather watch or warning is issued, it is immediately broadcast on NWR. The system is also used to broadcast information about other civil and weather hazard information like earthquakes, avalanches, chemical spills, terrorist attacks and even AMBER alerts.
This weather radio from Midland (model WR-300) includes SAME area encoding and an AM / FM radio.
It is highly recommended that any weather radio purchased include the SAME feature – Specific Area Message Encoding. Using the SAME feature, users can program a code into the radio for the area in which they live and the radio can then be set to automatically turn on and sound an alert when a weather watch or warning is issued for their area. Users of weather radios with SAME coding can be assured they will be immediately notified in an emergency.
Price and features of weather radios can vary but a good one with the SAME feature can be found for about $30.00. More expensive models may add clock, AM/FM radio and even weather forecasts retrieved from the Internet. There are portable handheld models as well that you can take with you wherever you go.
Finding a weather radio locally may be difficult as there aren’t many stores that carry them. Some Denver area King Soopers and Radio Shack stores have had them so you may call your local store to check. Alternatively, there are many good, trustworthy sites online where they can be purchased including Amazon.com, New Egg and Ambient Weather.
Weather radios provide essential information when severe weather is ready to strike. With a small investment, these units are an essential tool to protecting you and your family.
Do you have questions about weather radios? Post them in the comments section below and ThorntonWeather.com will answer them.
ThorntonWeather.com has some great ideas for Santa Claus for the weather enthusiasts he may be bringing gifts to.
Is there someone on your shopping list that looks out at a blizzard with glee on his or her face? Someone who jumps and runs to the window at hearing thunder or seeing the flash of lightning? Maybe a person for whom the weather warning beep on the TV or radio is music to their ears? Well then this posting is for you. Here are some great gift ideas for the weather geek on your list. If you have any questions about any of these, leave a comment and we will answer them. Also be sure to check out our list of great places to shop for weather gifts.
Books – There are books about every type of weather condition out there. We recently wrote about some of our top picks for weather related books for grownups and adults. Click here for some specific ideas.
Storm Chasing and Weather Clothing – Any proud weather geek will be happy to not only tell someone about their hobby but also to wear it! Shirts and clothing with tornadoes, hurricanes or even ones that proclaim the wearer as a “Weather Geek” or “Weather Diva” are a big hit. Kids love the stuff too.
Weather Radios – You don’t have to be a weather enthusiast to appreciate or need a weather radio – these are great gifts for anyone. These radios are relatively inexpensive and allow you to listen to and monitor the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) system. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, and forecasts as well as other hazard information like earthquakes, avalanches, chemical spills, and even AMBER alerts. Be sure to get one with SAME coding so it automatically turns on when something is happening in your area.
Emergency Kits – Most folks interested in severe weather are also quite likely a bit survivalist by nature. They know the dangers that the weather presents and want to be prepared for it. An emergency kit for the house or car are not only practical but potentially life saving.
GPS Systems – Handheld GPS systems like those from Garmin and Magellan are a must have for any storm chaser. Models can be had for less than $100 for a basic unit to $600 for ones with 3D mapping capability. Spend the extra money to get one with at least basic, non-3D mapping capability.
Cost: $100 and up. Look to spend between $200 and $300 to get a good one with mapping.
Binoculars – Low tech but effective. You don’t want to get too close to the action and binoculars are a great way to see things from a distance. You’ll want to look for ones that allow plenty of light in but also aren’t so big the user can’t make a run for it if needed.
Personal Weather Stations (PWS) – Amateur meteorology is a surprisingly popular hobby as you will learn if you take a look. A basic $50 station will provide outdoor temperature and humidity. Stepping up a notch to one for around $200 will get you all that plus wind and the ability to hook it up to a computer to archive statistics and create your own weather website like ThorntonWeather.com. $450+ gets a Davis Instruments weather station which is considered about the best an amateur can buy.
Digital Cameras and Camcorders – Pictures and video help to capture the weather conditions as they happen and make for lasting memories. With either of them, ones with powerful zoom lenses are a must in order to capture far away action (you don’t want to get too close to a tornado!). Don’t skimp on quality.
Storm Chasing Vacation – For a weather geek, what could be better than spending a week on the Great Plains hunting down hail storms, supercell thunderstorms and of course tornadoes! Storm chasing as a hobby is growing by leaps and bounds and there are many tour operators that seek to fulfill the dreams of those that want to see extreme weather. This is the ultimate gift! Are you listening to me, Santa?
For more info: Do you have any questions about specific items your weather enthusiast might want or questions about any of the above ideas? Post a comment and we’ll do our best to answer!
We just read on KMGH channel 7’s website that all Front Range area King Soopers are offering a very good deal on a Midland WR-100 radio. These are similar to the WR-300 model we discussed previously – just with fewer bells and whistles. The WR-100 retails for $49.99 but through September at area King Soopers stores you can buy one for $29.99.
One of our favorite features of our site is the feed from our NOAA All Hazards Weather Radio that provides not only mundane information like forecasts but also crucial life-saving information during severe weather. Unfortunately the computer sound card that receives the audio feed from our scanner failed two days ago so the audio feed is currently down.
Storm Chasing and Weather Clothing – Any proud weather geek will be happy to not only tell someone about their hobby but also to wear it! Shirts and clothing with tornadoes, hurricanes or even ones that proclaim the wearer as a “Weather Geek” or “Weather Diva” are a big hit. Kids love the stuff too.
GPS Systems – Handheld GPS systems like those from 
Personal Weather Stations (PWS) – Amateur meteorology is a surprisingly popular hobby as you will learn if you take a look. A basic $50 station will provide outdoor temperature and humidity. Stepping up a notch to one for around $200 will get you all that plus wind and the ability to hook it up to a computer to archive statistics and create your own weather website like 
Storm Chasing Vacation – For a weather geek, what could be better than spending a week on the Great Plains hunting down hail storms, supercell thunderstorms and of course tornadoes! Storm chasing as a hobby is growing by leaps and bounds and there are many tour operators that seek to fulfill the dreams of those that want to see extreme weather. This is the ultimate gift! Are you listening to me, Santa?
We just read 