NOAA Weather Radio Online: Listening to Weather Streams
Published
You can listen to NOAA Weather Radio streams online in any browser, with no download and no account: open 72FM, search for "NOAA", and press play. Volunteers and local groups rebroadcast many of the National Weather Service's transmitters over the internet, so you can hear the forecast for Manassas, New York, Dallas, Monterey or Indianapolis from anywhere.
One thing first: internet streams are a convenience, not a warning system. The National Weather Service advises not relying on internet audio to receive watches and warnings, because a stream can drop out exactly when it is needed. For safety, use a real NOAA weather radio receiver with battery backup, and your phone's emergency alerts.
What NOAA Weather Radio is
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a network of more than 1,000 transmitters run by the National Weather Service, covering all 50 states, coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Pacific territories. Each transmitter broadcasts continuous forecasts, conditions and warnings for its area, on one of seven VHF frequencies between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz — frequencies an ordinary FM radio cannot receive, which is why dedicated weather radios exist.
Streams in the directory
Search for "NOAA" on 72FM to see the current list. Among them:
- KHB36 — Manassas, Virginia, and the most-voted NOAA stream in the directory.
- KWO35 — New York City.
- Dallas, Texas.
- KEC49 — Monterey, California.
- KEC74 — Indianapolis.
- Altoona, Pennsylvania, Stillwater, WXJ71 and others.
Most run at 32kbps, which is plenty for the synthesised voice the service uses. Streams are run by volunteers, so they come and go; if one has stopped, try another nearby.
Good uses for a weather stream
- Checking the forecast for a place you are travelling to, or where family lives.
- Keeping an ear on conditions during a storm when you are already at a computer — alongside, not instead of, a real receiver.
- Radio enthusiasts and storm watchers following weather in other regions.
A real weather radio
If you live where severe weather happens, a dedicated weather radio is worth having: it sounds an alarm for warnings in your county (look for "SAME" alerting), runs on batteries when the power fails, and does not depend on the internet. Radio alarm clocks and wifi internet radios cover other kinds of home radio.
A route in
- Search "NOAA" on 72FM and pick the transmitter nearest the place you care about.
- Save it as a favourite so it is one tap away.
- For news around the weather, news radio online and AM radio online cover the stations that carry it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I listen to NOAA Weather Radio online?
Yes. Volunteers rebroadcast many NOAA transmitters online; search for "NOAA" on 72FM — no download and no account, with an hour a day free.
Should I rely on an internet stream for weather warnings?
No. The National Weather Service advises not relying on internet audio for watches and warnings. Use a weather radio receiver with battery backup and your phone's emergency alerts.
What frequencies does NOAA Weather Radio use?
Seven VHF frequencies between 162.400 and 162.550 MHz, which ordinary FM radios cannot receive.
How many NOAA Weather Radio transmitters are there?
More than 1,000, covering all 50 states, coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and the Pacific territories.