NOAA Weather Radio
FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST ALL TYPES OF HAZARDS
The best way to receive the most current information about climatic or other hazards is with an NOAA weather radio. These receive NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) local-area forecasts and bulletins directly from the National Weather Service. Local (Los Alamos and Santa Fe Counties) NWR broadcasts are found in the public service band at this frequency (MHz): 162.550.
Working with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is now a 24-hour-a-day "all hazards" radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive, local weather and non-weather emergency information. NWR broadcasts warnings and post-event information for all types of hazards: weather (such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods), natural (such as earthquakes, forest fires, and volcanic activity), technological (such as chemical releases, oil spills, nuclear power plant emergencies, etc.), and national emergencies. NWR also broadcasts area Amber Alerts (lost and missing children).
Normal weather broadcasts include weather summaries, forecast discussions and zone forecasts for specific areas of the state. When a warning is issued, the standard broadcast is interrupted to deliver the emergency bulletin. Any hazardous weather information is first broadcast over NOAA weather radio before being distributed through other media. This makes a weather radio the fastest and most timely way to receive emergency weather information, especially for receiving information on severe thunderstorms and flash floods, which often develop very rapidly. Weather radios equipped with a special alarm tone feature can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life-threatening situation.
NOAA weather radios are available in a variety of makes and models with various features and are available at most electronics stores. Make sure the radio you buy has "SAME" (specific area message encoding) features.
For more information, visit this NOAA web site: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/
Road Conditions Information
New Mexico Road Advisories: 1-800-432-4269
New Mexico Current Road Incidents: visit http://www.nmroads.com/
Arizona road conditions: 1-888-411-road or visit http://usroadconditions.com/az.shtml
Colorado road conditions: (303) 639-1111 or visit http://www.dot.state.co.us/travelinfo/ and check the current conditions page.
Texas road conditions: 1-800-452-9292 or visit http://www.dot.state.tx.us/GIS/HCRS_main/viewer.htm
Winter Storm Outlook for New Mexico
The winter forecast for New Mexico this year is more uncertain than usual. This is because there are no climatic influences this year such as El Niño or La Niña. The National Weather Service outlook for NM (as of October 2003) says that the likely trend is a continuation of warm and dry weather into early winter, and that precipitation is likely to be erratic across the state. What precipitation we do get is likely to be followed by long periods of dry weather, which evaporates the moisture from the ground before it can melt.
Los Alamos County could still very well experience severe snowstorms this winter. When snow seems likely, listen to forecasts on radio or T.V., tune into NOAA Weather Radio or visit the National Weather Service web site (see links to the left). Details on the difference between a winter storm watch, warning, or advisory can be found here: winter weather.
Did you know that 70% of deaths from winter storms occur in automobiles? This National Weather Service brochure has great information on staying safe during winter storms: Winter Storms: Deceptive Killers.
Given our altitude, we highly recommend that citizens be prepared for winter storms, including the possibility of 2-3 days of isolation due to above-normal snow pack. Prepare your family and home for winter emergencies by weatherizing your home and your automobiles, and be sure to create a disaster supplies kit.
More information is at the websites below.
Click on the links below to find out more about Winter Preparedness Tips and Safety from Storms.