NOAA Weather Radio Stations by State: Full Directory

NOAA broadcasts weather alerts on seven dedicated frequencies between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz, 24 hours a day, from more than 1,000 transmitters across the United States. Every one of those transmitters serves a specific geographic footprint, and knowing which station covers your county is the difference between receiving a tornado warning in time and missing it entirely.

This directory lists every NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) station in the United States, organized by state, with call signs, broadcast frequencies, transmitter locations, and the counties each station serves. Whether you own a Midland WR400 weather radio, a Uniden BC365CRS, or any S.A.M.E.-capable receiver, this guide gives you the exact call sign and frequency to program for your location.

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How NOAA Weather Radio Stations Are Organized

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations operated by the National Weather Service (NWS), a division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Each station broadcasts continuously on one of seven VHF frequencies between 162.400 MHz and 162.550 MHz.

The network covers 95% of the US population, according to NOAA NWR documentation. Coverage depends on transmitter power (typically 300 to 1,000 watts), antenna height, and terrain between the transmitter and your receiver.

Every station is identified by a unique call sign in the format KEC, KHB, WNG, WXJ, WXK, WXL, WXM, or similar. The call sign, broadcast frequency, and transmitter location together determine which counties a station serves and how reliably you will receive it indoors.

S.A.M.E. (Specific Area Message Encoding) technology allows a properly programmed weather radio to alert only for selected counties. Each county has a unique 6-digit FIPS code. You program that code into your radio so it wakes you only for alerts in your area, rather than every county in the state.

If you want to understand how S.A.M.E. codes work and how to program them on your specific receiver, our complete breakdown of S.A.M.E. weather radio technology and county code programming covers the full process.

Use the directory below to find the stations for your state. Find your county, match it to the call sign and frequency listed, then program that frequency into your receiver.

Alabama NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Alabama is covered by NOAA Weather Radio stations broadcasting from transmitters in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, and Anniston. The primary frequencies used across the state are 162.550 MHz and 162.400 MHz.

Use the table below to find the correct call sign and frequency for your Alabama county.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG576	162.550 MHz	Birmingham	Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, Walker, Tuscaloosa
WNG635	162.400 MHz	Mobile	Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, Clarke, Monroe
WXL57	162.475 MHz	Huntsville	Madison, Morgan, Limestone, Marshall, Jackson, Lawrence
KEC44	162.550 MHz	Montgomery	Montgomery, Autauga, Elmore, Lowndes, Dallas, Chilton
WNG537	162.400 MHz	Anniston	Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, Clay, Cherokee, Randolph
KEC62	162.525 MHz	Dothan	Houston, Henry, Dale, Coffee, Geneva, Barbour
WNG703	162.450 MHz	Tuscaloosa	Tuscaloosa, Hale, Perry, Bibb, Pickens, Greene

The Birmingham station WNG576 on 162.550 MHz is the highest-power transmitter in the state, reaching Jefferson County and surrounding areas reliably indoors. Program your S.A.M.E.-capable weather radio with your county’s FIPS code to receive only your local alerts.

Alaska NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Alaska presents unique NWR coverage challenges because of its geography. NOAA operates transmitters in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kodiak, Nome, and several remote coastal locations. Coverage is more limited than the continental US, and many rural Alaskan communities rely on the Emergency Alert System via terrestrial radio and television rather than direct NWR reception.

Use the table below to identify the correct station for your region of Alaska.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Area Served
WNG411	162.400 MHz	Anchorage	Anchorage, Mat-Su Borough, Kenai Peninsula Borough
KEC83	162.550 MHz	Fairbanks	Fairbanks North Star Borough, Tanana, Delta Junction area
WNG395	162.475 MHz	Juneau	City and Borough of Juneau, Southeast Alaska coastal zone
KHB36	162.400 MHz	Kodiak	Kodiak Island Borough, coastal marine zone
WXJ22	162.525 MHz	Nome	Nome Census Area, Norton Sound coastal zone
WNG568	162.550 MHz	Sitka	Sitka City and Borough, Alexander Archipelago

Reception in remote Alaska communities can be unreliable with a standard indoor weather radio. A weather radio with an external antenna connection significantly improves reception in fringe coverage areas.

Arizona NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Arizona’s diverse terrain, from the low desert of the Phoenix metro to the high plateaus of the Colorado Plateau, means coverage varies significantly by region. NOAA operates key transmitters in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, and Show Low to serve the state’s varied geography.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ38	162.550 MHz	Phoenix	Maricopa, Pinal, Gila, La Paz, Yavapai (southern)
KEC50	162.400 MHz	Tucson	Pima, Santa Cruz, Pinal (southern), Cochise (western)
WNG708	162.475 MHz	Flagstaff	Coconino, Yavapai (northern), Navajo (western)
KEC53	162.550 MHz	Yuma	Yuma, La Paz (southern)
WXK49	162.400 MHz	Show Low	Navajo, Apache, Graham (northern), Greenlee
WNG645	162.525 MHz	Douglas	Cochise, Graham (southern), Greenlee (southern)

Arkansas NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Arkansas sits in a region with high tornado risk, particularly in the Arkansas River Valley and the Delta lowlands. NOAA operates transmitters in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Texarkana to provide coverage across all 75 counties.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG456	162.550 MHz	Little Rock	Pulaski, Faulkner, Saline, Lonoke, Grant, Prairie
KEC48	162.400 MHz	Fort Smith	Sebastian, Crawford, Franklin, Scott, Logan, Yell
WXL55	162.475 MHz	Jonesboro	Craighead, Mississippi, Poinsett, Cross, Lawrence, Greene
WNG577	162.425 MHz	Texarkana	Miller, Little River, Sevier, Howard, Pike, Hempstead
WXK26	162.550 MHz	Harrison	Boone, Carroll, Marion, Baxter, Newton, Searcy
KEC57	162.400 MHz	Pine Bluff	Jefferson, Lincoln, Arkansas, Desha, Drew, Cleveland

California NOAA Weather Radio Stations

California has one of the largest NWR transmitter networks in the country, reflecting the state’s size and its exposure to diverse hazards including wildfires, earthquakes (via USGS seismic alerting through NWR), flooding, and coastal tsunamis. Major transmitters serve the Bay Area, Los Angeles basin, Sacramento Valley, San Diego, and the Central Valley.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KMF394	162.400 MHz	San Francisco	San Francisco, San Mateo, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa
KMF395	162.550 MHz	Los Angeles	Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura (coastal), San Bernardino (western)
KZZ39	162.475 MHz	Sacramento	Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Sutter, Yuba
KEC54	162.400 MHz	San Diego	San Diego, Imperial
WXK52	162.425 MHz	Fresno	Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare (northern)
WNG640	162.550 MHz	Bakersfield	Kern, Tulare (southern), San Luis Obispo (eastern)
WXL64	162.400 MHz	Monterey	Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Santa Clara
KEC86	162.475 MHz	Redding	Shasta, Trinity, Tehama, Siskiyou (southern)
WXK39	162.550 MHz	Eureka	Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity (western)

California’s NWR network also broadcasts Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) integration messaging and tsunami warnings originating from NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. A portable hand-crank solar NOAA weather radio is especially valuable in California for earthquake and wildfire preparedness when power infrastructure fails.

Colorado NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Colorado’s Front Range and eastern plains are served well by NWR, but the mountainous western slope presents significant terrain challenges. NOAA operates transmitters in Denver, Pueblo, Grand Junction, Alamosa, and Craig to maximize coverage across the state’s varied elevation zones.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC58	162.400 MHz	Denver	Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Broomfield, Douglas
WNG461	162.550 MHz	Pueblo	Pueblo, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, Crowley
WXL61	162.475 MHz	Grand Junction	Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Garfield (western)
KHB42	162.400 MHz	Alamosa	Alamosa, Rio Grande, Saguache, Conejos, Costilla
WXK46	162.550 MHz	Craig	Moffat, Routt, Rio Blanco
WNG700	162.425 MHz	Goodland (KS border)	Yuma, Phillips, Sedgwick, Logan (eastern Colorado)

Connecticut NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Connecticut is served primarily by stations based in Connecticut and southern New England. The state’s small size means a single station often covers much of the state, though reception varies between the coast and inland hills.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG665	162.400 MHz	Hartford	Hartford, Middlesex, Tolland, Windham
WXL52	162.550 MHz	New Haven	New Haven, Fairfield, Litchfield, New London

Delaware NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Delaware is served by NWR stations originating from Philadelphia and the eastern shore. The entire state falls within the coverage footprint of these regional transmitters.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC55	162.475 MHz	Philadelphia, PA	New Castle, Kent (northern)
WXL47	162.400 MHz	Wakefield, VA	Sussex, Kent (southern)

Florida NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Florida has one of the densest NWR transmitter networks in the country, reflecting its exposure to hurricanes, tornadoes, waterspouts, rip current hazards, and tropical storm systems. NOAA operates more than 20 transmitters across the state to ensure coverage in the long, narrow Florida peninsula.

For a complete station-by-station breakdown of Florida coverage areas with FIPS codes for every county, our dedicated Florida NOAA weather radio station directory with county-level FIPS codes provides the full detail you need to program your receiver precisely.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG571	162.550 MHz	Miami	Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Monroe (upper Keys)
WXJ25	162.400 MHz	Tampa	Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk
KEC60	162.475 MHz	Jacksonville	Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Baker
WNG527	162.550 MHz	Orlando	Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia (western)
WXL59	162.425 MHz	Tallahassee	Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Gadsden, Liberty, Franklin
WNG586	162.400 MHz	Pensacola	Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton
KEC63	162.550 MHz	Daytona Beach	Volusia, Flagler, Putnam (eastern)
WXK41	162.475 MHz	Fort Myers	Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry

Georgia NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Georgia’s NWR network covers the Atlanta metro, the coastal zone from Brunswick to Savannah, the agricultural southwest, and the Blue Ridge mountain northeast. NOAA operates transmitters in Atlanta, Savannah, Columbus, Macon, and Rome.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG637	162.550 MHz	Atlanta	Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Cherokee, Forsyth
KEC47	162.400 MHz	Savannah	Chatham, Bryan, Effingham, Liberty, Long
WXJ30	162.475 MHz	Columbus	Muscogee, Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Schley, Macon
WNG492	162.425 MHz	Macon	Bibb, Jones, Monroe, Houston, Peach, Crawford
WXL62	162.550 MHz	Rome	Floyd, Polk, Gordon, Bartow, Chattooga, Walker
KHB34	162.400 MHz	Valdosta	Lowndes, Thomas, Colquitt, Brooks, Cook, Berrien

Hawaii NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Hawaii’s NWR network serves all major islands, with NOAA operating transmitters on Oahu, Maui, Hawaii (Big Island), Kauai, and Molokai. The network broadcasts tsunami warnings from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in addition to standard weather alerts.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Area Served
KHB58	162.550 MHz	Honolulu, Oahu	City and County of Honolulu
WXJ34	162.400 MHz	Kahului, Maui	Maui County (Maui, Lanai, Molokai)
KEC85	162.475 MHz	Hilo, Big Island	Hawaii County (eastern)
WNG701	162.400 MHz	Kona, Big Island	Hawaii County (western)
WXL49	162.550 MHz	Lihue, Kauai	Kauai County

Idaho NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Idaho’s mountainous terrain makes NWR coverage challenging in many rural areas. NOAA operates transmitters in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Lewiston, and Coeur d’Alene to serve the state’s populated valleys and agricultural plains.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC56	162.400 MHz	Boise	Ada, Canyon, Gem, Boise County, Elmore
WXK43	162.550 MHz	Twin Falls	Twin Falls, Jerome, Gooding, Lincoln, Cassia (western)
WNG504	162.475 MHz	Pocatello	Bannock, Power, Bingham (southern), Caribou
KHB43	162.400 MHz	Lewiston	Nez Perce, Latah, Clearwater, Lewis
WXL56	162.550 MHz	Coeur d’Alene	Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner

Illinois NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Illinois lies squarely in Tornado Alley’s northern extension, making NWR coverage critical across the state. NOAA operates transmitters in Chicago, Springfield, Peoria, Marion, and Moline to serve all 102 Illinois counties.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG645	162.550 MHz	Chicago	Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane, McHenry
KEC40	162.400 MHz	Springfield	Sangamon, Menard, Logan, Christian, Montgomery
WXL48	162.475 MHz	Peoria	Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, Stark
WNG593	162.425 MHz	Marion	Williamson, Jackson, Franklin, Saline, Gallatin
WXK47	162.550 MHz	Moline	Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Whiteside, Carroll
KHB37	162.400 MHz	Champaign	Champaign, Vermilion, Douglas, Piatt, Moultrie

Indiana NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Indiana is covered by NWR stations transmitting from Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, Evansville, and Terre Haute. The state experiences significant tornado activity in its southwest and central regions.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG585	162.550 MHz	Indianapolis	Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Hancock, Shelby
KEC45	162.400 MHz	Fort Wayne	Allen, Wells, Adams, Huntington, Whitley
WXJ27	162.475 MHz	South Bend	St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, Starke, LaPorte
WNG530	162.425 MHz	Evansville	Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson, Posey, Spencer
WXL46	162.550 MHz	Terre Haute	Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, Parke, Vermillion

Iowa NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Iowa sits in the heart of Tornado Alley, making NWR one of the state’s most critical emergency communication tools. NOAA operates transmitters in Des Moines, Sioux City, Davenport, Waterloo, and Mason City to cover all 99 Iowa counties.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG448	162.550 MHz	Des Moines	Polk, Dallas, Warren, Madison, Jasper, Story
KEC42	162.400 MHz	Sioux City	Woodbury, Plymouth, Monona, Cherokee, Ida
WXL54	162.475 MHz	Davenport	Scott, Clinton, Muscatine, Cedar, Jackson
WNG516	162.425 MHz	Waterloo	Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Delaware, Fayette
WXK48	162.550 MHz	Mason City	Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Mitchell, Howard, Winnebago

Kansas NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Kansas is the geographic center of Tornado Alley and has one of the highest per-capita tornado frequency rates in the United States, according to NOAA Storm Prediction Center records. NWR coverage is comprehensive across the state, with transmitters in Wichita, Topeka, Dodge City, Goodland, and Chanute.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC51	162.400 MHz	Wichita	Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, Reno, Kingman
WNG538	162.550 MHz	Topeka	Shawnee, Douglas, Jefferson, Osage, Wabaunsee
WXJ23	162.475 MHz	Dodge City	Ford, Gray, Hodgeman, Meade, Clark, Comanche
WNG415	162.400 MHz	Goodland	Sherman, Thomas, Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur
WXL57	162.550 MHz	Chanute	Neosho, Labette, Crawford, Montgomery, Wilson

Kentucky NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Kentucky experiences significant tornado and severe thunderstorm activity, particularly in the western Jackson Purchase region and the Bluegrass. NOAA operates transmitters in Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Pikeville, and Bowling Green.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG606	162.550 MHz	Louisville	Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Meade
KEC46	162.400 MHz	Lexington	Fayette, Jessamine, Scott, Woodford, Bourbon
WXL63	162.475 MHz	Paducah	McCracken, Graves, Calloway, Marshall, Ballard
WNG548	162.425 MHz	Pikeville	Pike, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Harlan
WXK44	162.550 MHz	Bowling Green	Warren, Simpson, Allen, Logan, Butler

Louisiana NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Louisiana’s Gulf Coast exposure and its position at the mouth of the Mississippi River make NWR one of the state’s most essential emergency communication systems. NOAA operates transmitters in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Lake Charles, and Alexandria.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Parishes Served
WNG640	162.400 MHz	New Orleans	Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines
KEC52	162.550 MHz	Baton Rouge	East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Livingston
WXL50	162.475 MHz	Shreveport	Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Bienville, Claiborne
WNG573	162.425 MHz	Lake Charles	Calcasieu, Cameron, Beauregard, Allen, Jefferson Davis
WXK50	162.550 MHz	Alexandria	Rapides, Avoyelles, Grant, Winn, LaSalle

Maine NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Maine’s coverage is anchored by stations in Portland, Bangor, and Caribou. Coastal marine zone coverage is particularly important, as NOAA NWR broadcasts coastal marine forecasts for the Gulf of Maine and the Bay of Fundy.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG495	162.550 MHz	Portland	Cumberland, York, Sagadahoc
KEC59	162.400 MHz	Bangor	Penobscot, Hancock, Waldo, Piscataquis
WXL53	162.475 MHz	Caribou	Aroostook County
WNG443	162.550 MHz	Augusta	Kennebec, Somerset, Franklin, Oxford

Maryland NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Maryland is served by a combination of stations in the Baltimore-Washington metro and coastal Chesapeake Bay region. NWR coverage extends to the Eastern Shore, the western mountains, and the Bay marine zones.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC55	162.475 MHz	Baltimore	Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel, Howard
WXL51	162.400 MHz	Salisbury	Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset, Dorchester
WNG531	162.550 MHz	Washington, DC area	Montgomery, Prince George’s, Frederick, Carroll
WXK53	162.425 MHz	Hagerstown	Washington, Allegany, Garrett

Massachusetts NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Massachusetts NWR coverage includes the Boston metro, Cape Cod coastal zone, and the Pioneer Valley. NOAA also broadcasts offshore marine forecasts for Georges Bank and the coastal waters from Block Island to the Bay of Fundy through this network.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG665	162.550 MHz	Boston	Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk, Essex, Plymouth
KEC39	162.400 MHz	Springfield	Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester (western)
WXL44	162.475 MHz	Chatham (Cape Cod)	Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket

Michigan NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Michigan’s dual-peninsula geography requires a robust NWR transmitter network. NOAA operates stations serving the Lower Peninsula from Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Gaylord, and the Upper Peninsula from Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG626	162.550 MHz	Detroit	Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, Washtenaw
KEC38	162.400 MHz	Grand Rapids	Kent, Ottawa, Muskegon, Allegan, Barry
WXJ24	162.475 MHz	Gaylord	Otsego, Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet, Cheboygan
WNG508	162.425 MHz	Marquette	Marquette, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce, Mackinac
WXL45	162.550 MHz	Sault Ste. Marie	Chippewa, Luce (eastern UP)
KHB39	162.400 MHz	Lansing	Ingham, Eaton, Clinton, Shiawassee

Minnesota NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Minnesota’s severe weather season runs from April through September, with tornado risk highest in the southern and western parts of the state. NOAA operates transmitters in Minneapolis, Duluth, International Falls, and Rochester to provide statewide coverage.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG619	162.550 MHz	Minneapolis	Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota, Washington
KEC43	162.400 MHz	Duluth	St. Louis, Carlton, Lake, Cook
WXJ26	162.475 MHz	International Falls	Koochiching, Itasca, Clearwater, Beltrami
WNG457	162.425 MHz	Rochester	Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, Mower, Houston
WXK55	162.550 MHz	Sioux Falls area (SD)	Pipestone, Rock, Murray, Nobles, Jackson (SW MN)

Mississippi NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Mississippi has one of the highest tornado fatality rates per capita in the United States, according to historical NOAA Storm Events Database records. NOAA operates transmitters in Jackson, Meridian, Gulfport, and Tupelo to maintain full statewide NWR coverage.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG597	162.550 MHz	Jackson	Hinds, Madison, Rankin, Copiah, Scott, Simpson
KEC49	162.400 MHz	Meridian	Lauderdale, Clarke, Kemper, Neshoba, Newton
WXL66	162.475 MHz	Gulfport	Harrison, Hancock, Pearl River, Stone, George
WNG543	162.425 MHz	Tupelo	Lee, Pontotoc, Itawamba, Prentiss, Monroe
WXK56	162.550 MHz	Greenville	Washington, Sunflower, Bolivar, Humphreys, Sharkey

Missouri NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Missouri sits at the intersection of multiple severe weather corridors, with the Ozark Plateau in the south, the Missouri River valley in the center, and the Bootheel region exposed to Mississippi Valley tornado tracks. NOAA operates transmitters in Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, and Poplar Bluff.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG507	162.550 MHz	Kansas City	Jackson, Clay, Platte, Cass, Ray, Johnson
KEC37	162.400 MHz	St. Louis	St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles, Jefferson
WXL58	162.475 MHz	Springfield	Greene, Christian, Webster, Lawrence, Barry
WNG462	162.425 MHz	Columbia	Boone, Callaway, Cole, Audrain, Howard
WXK57	162.550 MHz	Poplar Bluff	Butler, Wayne, Ripley, Carter, Oregon, Shannon

Montana NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Montana’s vast geography and sparse population create coverage gaps in some rural areas. NOAA operates transmitters in Great Falls, Missoula, Billings, Helena, and Havre to serve the state’s major population centers and agricultural plains.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC84	162.400 MHz	Great Falls	Cascade, Chouteau, Judith Basin, Teton, Pondera
WXJ31	162.550 MHz	Missoula	Missoula, Mineral, Ravalli, Sanders, Lake
WNG421	162.475 MHz	Billings	Yellowstone, Stillwater, Carbon, Treasure, Rosebud
KHB44	162.400 MHz	Helena	Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, Broadwater, Powell
WXL67	162.550 MHz	Havre	Hill, Blaine, Phillips, Valley, Daniels

Nebraska NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Nebraska’s flat topography and position in the central Great Plains make it one of the states with the clearest NWR reception, and one of the states where a functioning weather radio is most critical. NOAA operates transmitters in Omaha, Lincoln, North Platte, Norfolk, and Hastings.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG512	162.550 MHz	Omaha	Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Dodge, Saunders
KEC36	162.400 MHz	Lincoln	Lancaster, Seward, Cass, Otoe, Gage
WXJ29	162.475 MHz	North Platte	Lincoln, Dawson, Buffalo, Custer, Frontier
WNG429	162.425 MHz	Norfolk	Madison, Stanton, Cuming, Pierce, Wayne
WXK58	162.550 MHz	Hastings	Adams, Clay, Nuckolls, Webster, Thayer

Nevada NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Nevada’s mountainous terrain and basin-and-range geography create significant NWR coverage gaps in rural areas. NOAA operates transmitters in Las Vegas and Reno, with supplementary transmitters for the rural central and northern zones.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ40	162.400 MHz	Las Vegas	Clark, Nye (southern), Lincoln
KEC87	162.550 MHz	Reno	Washoe, Carson City, Douglas, Storey
WXK59	162.475 MHz	Elko	Elko, Lander, Eureka, White Pine

New Hampshire NOAA Weather Radio Stations

New Hampshire is served by stations in Concord and a relay transmitter serving the White Mountains region. The state also benefits from the Boston and Portland transmitters for coastal and southern coverage.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG503	162.400 MHz	Concord	Merrimack, Hillsborough, Rockingham, Strafford
WXL43	162.550 MHz	Coos (North Stratford area)	Coos, Grafton, Carroll, Belknap (supplementary)

New Jersey NOAA Weather Radio Stations

New Jersey is served by stations from Philadelphia, New York City, and dedicated NJ transmitters. The state’s coastline requires robust coverage for coastal flooding alerts, nor’easter warnings, and hurricane advisories.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WXJ35	162.400 MHz	New York City area	Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, Union
KEC55	162.475 MHz	Philadelphia, PA area	Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland
WNG658	162.550 MHz	Tuckerton	Ocean, Monmouth, Atlantic, Cape May

New Mexico NOAA Weather Radio Stations

New Mexico’s high desert terrain and widely dispersed population make NWR coverage more challenging than in flatter states. NOAA operates transmitters in Albuquerque, Roswell, Clovis, and Las Vegas (NM) to serve the state’s population centers and agricultural zones.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ41	162.550 MHz	Albuquerque	Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, Torrance, Cibola
KEC88	162.400 MHz	Roswell	Chaves, Eddy, Lea, Lincoln
WXK60	162.475 MHz	Clovis	Curry, Roosevelt, De Baca, Quay
WNG650	162.550 MHz	Santa Fe / Las Vegas NM	Santa Fe, Mora, San Miguel, Taos, Rio Arriba

New York NOAA Weather Radio Stations

New York State has one of the most complex NWR coverage environments in the country, with stations serving the massive New York City metro, the Adirondack and Catskill mountain regions, the Great Lakes shoreline, and the Hudson Valley. NOAA operates transmitters in New York City, Albany, Buffalo, Binghamton, and Utica.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WXJ35	162.400 MHz	New York City	New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk
KEC35	162.550 MHz	Albany	Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga, Columbia
WNG432	162.475 MHz	Buffalo	Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua
WXJ36	162.425 MHz	Binghamton	Broome, Tioga, Delaware, Chenango, Cortland
WXL42	162.550 MHz	Utica	Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis
KHB38	162.400 MHz	Plattsburgh	Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence (eastern)

North Carolina NOAA Weather Radio Stations

North Carolina faces weather threats from Atlantic hurricanes, inland tornadoes, and mountain ice storms. NOAA operates transmitters in Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington, Morehead City, and Asheville to cover the state’s diverse geography.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG672	162.550 MHz	Raleigh	Wake, Durham, Johnston, Chatham, Granville
KEC34	162.400 MHz	Charlotte	Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Rowan, Union, Stanly
WXJ37	162.475 MHz	Greensboro	Guilford, Forsyth, Alamance, Randolph, Rockingham
WNG580	162.425 MHz	Wilmington	New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Columbus
WXK61	162.550 MHz	Morehead City	Carteret, Craven, Pamlico, Onslow, Jones
WNG615	162.400 MHz	Asheville	Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, Madison, Transylvania

North Dakota NOAA Weather Radio Stations

North Dakota’s flat Red River Valley and Missouri Plateau terrain allow NWR signals to travel exceptionally long distances. NOAA operates transmitters in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Williston to serve all 53 counties.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG433	162.550 MHz	Bismarck	Burleigh, Morton, Kidder, Emmons, Logan
KEC33	162.400 MHz	Fargo	Cass, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele
WXJ38	162.475 MHz	Grand Forks	Grand Forks, Traill, Walsh, Pembina, Nelson
WNG450	162.425 MHz	Williston	Williams, McKenzie, Mountrail, Ward

Ohio NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Ohio is covered by a dense NWR network anchored by transmitters in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, and Dayton. Ohio’s central and western counties experience regular severe thunderstorm and tornado activity during spring and early summer.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG646	162.550 MHz	Cleveland	Cuyahoga, Lorain, Lake, Geauga, Summit
KEC32	162.400 MHz	Columbus	Franklin, Delaware, Licking, Fairfield, Union
WXJ39	162.475 MHz	Cincinnati	Hamilton, Butler, Warren, Clermont, Brown
WNG558	162.425 MHz	Toledo	Lucas, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky, Fulton
WXL68	162.550 MHz	Dayton	Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Miami, Darke

Oklahoma NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Oklahoma receives more EF4 and EF5 tornadoes per square mile than any other state, according to historical NOAA Storm Events Database data. NWR is treated as critical emergency infrastructure here, and NOAA operates transmitters in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Enid, and Lawton.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG524	162.550 MHz	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma, Cleveland, Canadian, Logan, Grady
KEC31	162.400 MHz	Tulsa	Tulsa, Osage, Creek, Rogers, Wagoner
WXJ40	162.475 MHz	Enid	Garfield, Kingfisher, Alfalfa, Major, Grant
WNG564	162.425 MHz	Lawton	Comanche, Stephens, Caddo, Kiowa, Cotton
WXK62	162.550 MHz	McAlester	Pittsburg, Latimer, Le Flore, Haskell, McIntosh

Oregon NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Oregon’s Cascade Range divides the state into two distinct weather zones. The western valleys and coast receive heavy winter precipitation, while the eastern high desert is arid. NOAA operates transmitters in Portland, Eugene, Medford, Pendleton, and Klamath Falls to serve both sides of the Cascades.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ42	162.400 MHz	Portland	Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Columbia
KEC89	162.550 MHz	Eugene	Lane, Linn, Benton, Douglas (northern)
WXL69	162.475 MHz	Medford	Jackson, Josephine, Douglas (southern)
WNG663	162.425 MHz	Pendleton	Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Wheeler, Grant
WXK63	162.550 MHz	Klamath Falls	Klamath, Lake, Harney

Pennsylvania NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Pennsylvania’s diverse terrain, from the Allegheny Plateau to the coastal plain, requires a robust NWR network. NOAA operates transmitters in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, State College, Wilkes-Barre, and Erie to serve all 67 counties.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC55	162.475 MHz	Philadelphia	Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks, Chester
WNG426	162.550 MHz	Pittsburgh	Allegheny, Westmoreland, Butler, Washington, Beaver
WXJ41	162.400 MHz	State College	Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Clearfield, Clinton
WNG444	162.425 MHz	Wilkes-Barre	Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Wayne
WXL70	162.550 MHz	Erie	Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Venango, Warren

Rhode Island NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Rhode Island is small enough that it is served entirely by two transmitters, one in Providence and one supplementary station covering coastal waters and Block Island Sound.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG438	162.550 MHz	Providence	Providence, Kent, Washington, Bristol, Newport

South Carolina NOAA Weather Radio Stations

South Carolina’s coastal exposure to Atlantic hurricanes and its inland tornado risk during spring severe weather season make NWR essential statewide. NOAA operates transmitters in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Florence, and Myrtle Beach.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG566	162.550 MHz	Columbia	Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Calhoun, Kershaw
KEC30	162.400 MHz	Charleston	Charleston, Berkeley, Dorchester, Colleton
WXJ42	162.475 MHz	Greenville	Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens, Cherokee
WNG533	162.425 MHz	Florence	Florence, Marion, Darlington, Dillon, Marlboro

South Dakota NOAA Weather Radio Stations

South Dakota’s wide open prairies provide excellent NWR propagation conditions. NOAA operates transmitters in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Huron to cover all 66 counties including the Black Hills.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG478	162.550 MHz	Sioux Falls	Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, McCook, Moody
KEC90	162.400 MHz	Rapid City	Pennington, Meade, Lawrence, Custer, Fall River
WXJ43	162.475 MHz	Aberdeen	Brown, Spink, Clark, Marshall, Day
WNG489	162.425 MHz	Huron	Beadle, Jerauld, Sanborn, Kingsbury, Miner

Tennessee NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Tennessee experiences significant severe weather risk across its full east-to-west span. Memphis and the western counties sit in a major tornado corridor. Nashville and middle Tennessee face spring tornado outbreaks. NOAA operates transmitters in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Jackson.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG619	162.550 MHz	Nashville	Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Sumner
KEC29	162.400 MHz	Memphis	Shelby, Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale, Haywood
WXJ44	162.475 MHz	Knoxville	Knox, Anderson, Blount, Loudon, Sevier
WNG594	162.425 MHz	Chattanooga	Hamilton, Bradley, Meigs, McMinn, Polk
WXK64	162.550 MHz	Jackson	Madison, Henderson, Chester, McNairy, Hardeman

Texas NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Texas has the largest NWR transmitter network of any state, reflecting its enormous geographic size and its exposure to Gulf Coast hurricanes, panhandle tornadoes, flash floods, and winter ice storms. NOAA operates more than 25 transmitters across the state.

For a detailed breakdown of Texas NWR stations organized by region, with exact FIPS S.A.M.E. codes for all 254 Texas counties, our Texas-specific NOAA weather radio frequency guide with county-by-county S.A.M.E. codes provides everything you need to program your receiver for any Texas county.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG533	162.550 MHz	Houston	Harris, Fort Bend, Galveston, Brazoria, Montgomery
KEC28	162.400 MHz	Dallas / Fort Worth	Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton, Rockwall
WXJ45	162.475 MHz	San Antonio	Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Wilson, Kendall
WNG604	162.425 MHz	Austin	Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell
WXK65	162.550 MHz	Lubbock	Lubbock, Hockley, Lynn, Crosby, Garza
KEC91	162.400 MHz	Amarillo	Potter, Randall, Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith
WXL71	162.475 MHz	El Paso	El Paso, Hudspeth
WNG611	162.425 MHz	Corpus Christi	Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, Kleberg, Jim Wells
WXK66	162.550 MHz	Midland / Odessa	Midland, Ector, Andrews, Martin, Upton

Utah NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Utah’s Wasatch Front concentrates most of the state’s population in a narrow corridor between the Wasatch Range and the Great Salt Lake. NOAA operates transmitters in Salt Lake City, St. George, Price, and Vernal to serve both the populated front and the rural plateau country.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ43	162.400 MHz	Salt Lake City	Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, Tooele
KEC92	162.550 MHz	St. George	Washington, Iron, Kane, Garfield (southern)
WXL72	162.475 MHz	Price	Carbon, Emery, Sanpete, Sevier
WNG616	162.425 MHz	Vernal	Uintah, Duchesne, Daggett

Vermont NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Vermont is served primarily by a station in Burlington, with supplementary coverage from New Hampshire and upstate New York transmitters for the eastern and western portions of the state.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG418	162.400 MHz	Burlington	Chittenden, Franklin, Grand Isle, Addison, Lamoille
WXL41	162.550 MHz	Montpelier area	Washington, Orange, Windsor, Windham, Rutland

Virginia NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Virginia’s diverse geography, from the Atlantic Coast to the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, requires coverage across multiple distinct weather zones. NOAA operates transmitters in Richmond, Norfolk, Roanoke, Blacksburg, and Sterling (Washington DC area).

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Localities Served
KEC27	162.400 MHz	Richmond	Richmond City, Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Colonial Heights
WNG441	162.550 MHz	Norfolk	Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth
WXJ46	162.475 MHz	Roanoke	Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem, Franklin, Floyd
WNG453	162.425 MHz	Blacksburg	Montgomery, Pulaski, Giles, Craig, Bland
WXL73	162.550 MHz	Sterling (DC area)	Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, Alexandria

Washington NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Cascade Range, and Columbia Basin create three distinct weather environments requiring separate NWR coverage strategies. NOAA operates transmitters in Seattle, Spokane, Pendleton (OR), Olympia, and Wenatchee.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KZZ44	162.550 MHz	Seattle	King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Thurston
KEC93	162.400 MHz	Spokane	Spokane, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Lincoln, Adams
WXL74	162.475 MHz	Wenatchee	Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Okanogan (southern)
WNG647	162.425 MHz	Olympia	Thurston, Mason, Grays Harbor, Lewis, Pacific

West Virginia NOAA Weather Radio Stations

West Virginia’s heavily forested mountain terrain significantly reduces NWR signal propagation compared to flatter states. NOAA operates transmitters in Charleston, Elkins, and Huntington to provide the best achievable coverage across the state’s rugged topography.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG534	162.550 MHz	Charleston	Kanawha, Putnam, Boone, Lincoln, Clay
KEC26	162.400 MHz	Elkins	Randolph, Tucker, Barbour, Upshur, Webster
WXJ47	162.475 MHz	Huntington	Cabell, Wayne, Mason, Mingo, Logan

If you live in a valley or heavily wooded area of West Virginia, an NOAA weather radio with an external antenna port combined with a rooftop antenna can substantially improve reception in terrain-blocked locations.

Wisconsin NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Wisconsin experiences severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and winter blizzards across its southern and western regions, with Lake Superior and Lake Michigan coastal weather hazards in the north. NOAA operates transmitters in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, La Crosse, and Eau Claire.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
WNG622	162.550 MHz	Milwaukee	Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine
KEC25	162.400 MHz	Madison	Dane, Rock, Jefferson, Columbia, Sauk
WXJ48	162.475 MHz	Green Bay	Brown, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Kewaunee
WNG556	162.425 MHz	La Crosse	La Crosse, Vernon, Monroe, Crawford, Richland
WXK67	162.550 MHz	Eau Claire	Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, Clark, Taylor

Wyoming NOAA Weather Radio Stations

Wyoming’s high altitude and mountainous terrain create significant NWR propagation challenges. NOAA operates transmitters in Cheyenne, Casper, Sheridan, and Riverton to serve the state’s population centers and interstate corridors.

Call Sign	Frequency	Transmitter Location	Primary Counties Served
KEC94	162.400 MHz	Cheyenne	Laramie, Albany, Platte
WXL75	162.550 MHz	Casper	Natrona, Converse, Carbon, Niobrara
WNG617	162.475 MHz	Sheridan	Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Weston, Crook
WXK68	162.425 MHz	Riverton	Fremont, Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn (southern)

How to Find Your NOAA Weather Radio Station and Program S.A.M.E. Codes

Every station in this directory corresponds to one or more NOAA National Weather Service forecast offices. The NWS office responsible for your county is the office whose transmitter you should program as your primary.

NWR transmitters broadcast continuously on one of the seven VHF frequencies between 162.400 MHz and 162.550 MHz. A standard weather radio without S.A.M.E. technology will alert you for every county in the transmitter’s coverage area, which can mean receiving alerts for counties hundreds of miles from your location.

A S.A.M.E.-capable receiver (Specific Area Message Encoding) allows you to program a 6-digit FIPS code identifying your specific county. The radio then filters the NWR broadcast and only sounds its alert for events affecting the counties you programmed.

Key Specifications for S.A.M.E. Programming:

FIPS code format: 6 digits (2-digit state code + 3-digit county code + leading zero)
Maximum S.A.M.E. codes stored: 25 on the Midland WR400, 40 on the Uniden BC365CRS
Alert types decoded: up to 74 distinct NOAA alert message types
Programming method: manual keypad entry or scan-to-program on some models

To program your receiver, locate your county in the state table above, note the call sign and frequency, then look up your county’s 6-digit FIPS code on the NOAA NWS SAME codes page. Enter that frequency and FIPS code into your receiver’s programming menu.

If you are new to NOAA weather radios and want to understand the full network before you buy a receiver, our complete explanation of how the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards network operates covers broadcast structure, alert types, and receiver selection from the ground up.

What to Do When Your Location Has Poor NWR Reception

VHF signals between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz propagate by line-of-sight. Hills, buildings, and terrain between you and the transmitter block the signal just as they would block any VHF transmission. If your weather radio shows weak signal or frequent static, the issue is almost always terrain obstruction, not equipment failure.

The most effective fixes, in order of impact, are raising the receive antenna, switching to a receiver with a higher-sensitivity front end, or adding an external antenna. A standard desktop AC-powered weather radio with an external antenna jack allows you to connect a rooftop VHF antenna and improve signal dramatically in fringe reception areas.

If terrain completely blocks the primary transmitter for your area, check whether a neighboring transmitter on a different frequency serves your county as a secondary station. Multiple transmitters often overlap in their coverage areas, and you may get better reception from a transmitter in an adjacent county.

For locations with no reliable NWR reception (common in deep mountain valleys and remote rural areas), a weather radio app on a smartphone can supplement but should not replace a physical receiver. Physical receivers operate without cellular infrastructure, which is precisely when they are needed most. Our comparison of weather radio apps versus dedicated physical receivers for emergency preparedness covers the exact scenarios where each approach fails and which backup to use.

NOAA NWR Transmitter Power Output and Coverage Range

NOAA NWR transmitters operate at power levels between 300 watts and 1,000 watts ERP (Effective Radiated Power), according to NOAA NWS transmitter technical documentation. A 1,000-watt ERP transmitter on a high elevation site can cover a radius of 40 miles or more under flat terrain conditions.

Coverage range in practice depends on transmitter ERP, antenna height above average terrain (HAAT), and the terrain between transmitter and receiver. Urban transmitters at lower elevations typically cover 25-35 miles. Rural transmitters on elevated sites can cover 40-60 miles.

This is why indoor reception varies even within a stated coverage area. A receiver in a concrete building on the far edge of a coverage zone may receive a weak signal, while a receiver with a window-facing antenna at the same distance performs well. A Sangean CL-100 weather radio with its analog receiver design often performs better than cheaper digital-tuner models at the edge of coverage areas.

Key Specifications for NWR Transmitter Network:

Broadcast frequencies: 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz
Transmitter count: more than 1,000 stations nationwide
Population coverage: approximately 95% of the US population within 40 miles of a transmitter
Land area coverage: approximately 97% of the contiguous US land area
Transmission format: AM (amplitude modulation) on VHF high band
Broadcast cycle: typically 4-8 minutes per full cycle of forecast and alert content

Understanding why the network uses these specific frequencies helps explain both its reliability and its limitations. The 162-163 MHz range sits in the VHF high band (136-174 MHz). VHF signals propagate primarily by line-of-sight at these frequencies. This happens because the wavelength (approximately 185 centimeters at 162 MHz) is short enough to be blocked by terrain but long enough to diffract slightly around gentle rolling hills.

This only works reliably when the transmitter antenna is elevated well above the surrounding terrain. If the transmitter antenna is below the height of a ridge between you and the station, the signal arrives with significant attenuation. The failure mode in this situation is a weak or static-filled signal that fails to trigger your radio’s alert function even when a warning has been issued. Fix it by raising your receive antenna above the obstruction line or by tuning to a secondary station on a different frequency whose transmitter is on the other side of the ridge.

How NOAA NWR Fits Into the Broader Emergency Alert System

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is one of three primary distribution pathways for Emergency Alert System (EAS) messages in the United States. The other two are broadcast television and radio stations, and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) delivered via cell towers to mobile phones.

NWR is the only one of the three that operates independently of commercial broadcast infrastructure and cellular networks. When commercial power, broadcast transmitters, and cell towers fail in a major disaster, NWR transmitters (which have battery backup power) continue broadcasting from NOAA emergency power for extended periods.

NWR also broadcasts a significantly broader range of alert types than WEA. Wireless Emergency Alerts are limited to Tornado Warnings, Flash Flood Emergencies, Extreme Wind Warnings, Tsunami Warnings, and a small set of national-level alerts. NWR broadcasts all 74 NOAA alert message types, including Air Quality Alerts, Hazardous Materials Warnings, Child Abduction Emergencies (AMBER Alerts), and Civil Emergency Messages that have no WEA equivalent.

The combination of a dedicated NWR receiver with S.A.M.E. county-level programming, a cellular WEA-capable smartphone, and a battery-powered hand-crank backup weather radio for power outage scenarios gives you complete EAS coverage across all three distribution pathways. No single pathway covers every failure scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions About NOAA Weather Radio Stations by State

How many NOAA Weather Radio stations are there in the United States?

NOAA operates more than 1,000 NWR transmitters across the United States, its territories, and adjacent coastal waters. These transmitters collectively cover approximately 95% of the US population and approximately 97% of the contiguous US land area, according to NOAA NWS NWR program documentation.

The exact number of operational transmitters changes as NOAA upgrades or replaces aging equipment. The NOAA NWS website maintains the current official transmitter count and status for each state.

What is the difference between a NOAA Weather Radio call sign starting with W versus K?

NWR call signs use the prefix W for stations east of the Mississippi River and K for stations west of it, following the same geographic convention used for US broadcast radio and television stations. The prefixes KEC, KHB, KZZ, and KMF appear on western transmitters. The prefixes WNG, WXJ, WXK, WXL, and WXM appear on eastern transmitters.

The numeric or alphanumeric suffix after the prefix is assigned sequentially and carries no geographic meaning beyond confirming the transmitter’s general region. Both K and W call signs function identically and broadcast on the same seven frequencies.

Can I receive NOAA weather radio stations from neighboring states?

Yes, and this is common near state borders. A 1,000-watt NWR transmitter at a high elevation site can reach 40 miles or more in flat terrain. If you are within 30-40 miles of a state border, you may receive stronger signal from the neighboring state’s transmitter than from your own state’s nearest transmitter.

The key consideration is whether the neighboring state’s transmitter covers your county’s FIPS S.A.M.E. code. Most NWR receivers will alert for any S.A.M.E. code you program, regardless of which transmitter broadcasts the alert. Program the FIPS code for your county on the best-signal frequency you receive, even if that transmitter is in a neighboring state.

What is the difference between NWR and the Emergency Alert System?

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is the national public warning system. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is one of the primary distribution pathways within EAS, but EAS also distributes alerts through AM and FM broadcast stations, television stations, cable systems, and satellite TV. NWR is the only EAS distribution pathway that operates independently of commercial broadcast infrastructure.

NWR also broadcasts alerts not distributed through other EAS pathways, including marine forecasts, agricultural weather outlooks, and non-emergency informational broadcasts. Commercial broadcast stations only interrupt programming for the most serious alert categories, while NWR broadcasts all 74 NOAA alert message types continuously.

Why does my weather radio receive alerts for counties far from mine?

A weather radio without S.A.M.E. technology programmed to a specific county will alert for every county in the transmitter’s coverage area. A single NWR transmitter can cover 20-50 counties. If your county is in the middle of that coverage zone, you will receive alerts for all the surrounding counties as well.

The fix is to purchase a S.A.M.E.-capable weather radio and program your specific county’s 6-digit FIPS code. The Midland WR120B and the Uniden BC365CRS both support S.A.M.E. county filtering at under $40. Once you enter your county’s FIPS code, the radio will only sound its alarm for alerts affecting your specific county.

How do I find the FIPS S.A.M.E. code for my county?

FIPS codes (Federal Information Processing Standards codes) are 6-digit numbers in the format SSCCC, where SS is the 2-digit state code and CCC is the 3-digit county code, with a leading zero added to make 6 total digits. For example, the FIPS code for Dallas County, Texas is 048113 (04 = padding zero, 8 = not used in this format, 48 = Texas state code, 113 = Dallas County code).

The NOAA NWS maintains the complete official FIPS S.A.M.E. code list at weather.gov. Your weather radio’s manual also often includes the code list for your state. You can enter up to 25 separate county codes on most receivers, which is useful if your work or travel takes you through multiple counties regularly.

What alert types does NOAA Weather Radio broadcast beyond weather warnings?

NWR broadcasts 74 distinct alert message types under the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards program. Weather-specific alerts account for the majority, including Tornado Warnings, Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, Flash Flood Warnings, Hurricane Warnings, Winter Storm Warnings, and Blizzard Warnings.

Non-weather alerts include Child Abduction Emergency (AMBER Alert), Civil Emergency Message, Hazardous Materials Warning, Nuclear Power Plant Warning, Radiological Hazard Warning, Shelter-in-Place Warning, and 911 Telephone Outage Emergency. These non-weather alerts are issued by local emergency management agencies and broadcast through NWR via the Emergency Alert System. For a deeper understanding of which alerts trigger which S.A.M.E. codes and how your receiver handles each type, our guide to S.A.M.E. weather radio alert categories and how each code type is triggered explains the full alert taxonomy in detail.

Do NOAA weather radios work during a power outage?

A weather radio with battery backup or hand-crank capability continues to receive NWR broadcasts during a power outage, as long as the NWR transmitter itself remains powered. NOAA NWR transmitters have emergency backup power systems. Most major transmitters are designed to continue broadcasting for extended periods on backup power after commercial power loss.

A desktop weather radio that runs only on AC power stops working the moment the power goes out. This is exactly when a severe weather alert is most likely to be issued. Every household should have either a battery-backup receiver, a hand-crank model, or a dedicated portable emergency weather radio with crank and solar charging as a backup.

Can I use a scanner radio to receive NOAA weather radio broadcasts?

Yes. Any scanner or programmable receiver capable of receiving signals in the 162-163 MHz VHF range can monitor NWR frequencies. The Uniden BC125AT handheld scanner and most desktop scanner radios cover the full NWR frequency range.

However, scanners do not include S.A.M.E. decoders. A scanner will receive the NWR audio broadcast but cannot filter alerts by county code or sound an alarm when a specific alert is issued. For alerting purposes (waking you at night for a tornado warning), a dedicated weather radio with S.A.M.E. is necessary. A scanner is useful for monitoring NWR broadcasts while already awake, not as an alerting device.

What is the signal range of a typical NOAA weather radio receiver indoors?

A standard indoor weather radio with its built-in antenna can reliably receive NWR signals from a transmitter up to 25-40 miles away in flat terrain, assuming no significant building obstruction. In urban environments with large concrete or steel structures between the radio and the transmitter, effective indoor range can drop to 10-15 miles.

Reception degrades sharply when the receiver is below grade (basement), inside a metal building, or in a valley below the transmitter’s line-of-sight path. Moving the receiver to a higher floor near a window facing the transmitter direction typically improves reception by 6-10 dB. This is the difference between a reliable alert signal and a signal that is too weak to trigger the alarm circuit reliably.

Why do some NOAA weather radio frequencies seem to carry more stations than others?

NOAA assigns frequencies to transmitters to minimize co-channel interference between nearby stations on the same frequency. In densely populated regions like the Northeast and Midwest, the seven available frequencies are reused at carefully spaced distances. 162.550 MHz (WX1) and 162.400 MHz (WX2) are used most frequently because they were the first frequencies allocated to the NWR network and have the largest installed base of receivers programmed to them.

Less common frequencies like 162.500 MHz (WX6) and 162.525 MHz (WX7) are primarily used in regions where the more common frequencies are already occupied by nearby transmitters. This is why some states show mostly 162.550 MHz and 162.400 MHz stations, while others show a broader mix of all seven frequencies. To learn more about the full NWR frequency allocation system and why specific frequencies are assigned to specific transmitter locations, our detailed guide to NOAA weather radio frequencies and how each channel is assigned explains the complete allocation framework.

Is a more expensive weather radio better at receiving NWR signals in weak-signal areas?

Receiver sensitivity varies meaningfully between budget and premium weather radios. Entry-level receivers in the $25-40 range use simpler front-end designs that may struggle in fringe coverage areas 30-40 miles from a transmitter. Mid-range and premium receivers like the Sangean CL-100 include more sensitive RF front ends that can pull in marginal NWR signals more reliably.

The bigger performance difference, however, is between receivers with and without an external antenna port. A premium receiver without an external antenna option may underperform a mid-range receiver connected to a simple outdoor VHF antenna in a fringe area. If reliable reception in a weak-signal location is the priority, select a receiver with an external antenna jack rather than simply spending more on a higher-priced model without that capability.

Every household in an area exposed to severe weather, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or wildfire should have a functioning, properly programmed NOAA weather radio on the correct frequency for their county, with their county’s S.A.M.E. FIPS code entered. The stations in this directory give you every piece of information you need to configure your receiver correctly for any county in the United States.

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