Residents across eastern Virginia are facing a temporary disruption in NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts due to a major software update at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Wakefield. The outage will last until Thursday, with service expected to resume later in the afternoon, though delays are possible depending on how the update goes.
Affected Areas and Frequencies
The software update impacts all NOAA Weather Radio transmitters across the region, including important stations serving Richmond, Norfolk, Accomac, Heathsville, and other areas. The frequencies affected are:
- Accomac: 162.525 MHz
- Heathsville: 162.400 MHz
- Norfolk: 162.550 MHz
- Richmond: 162.475 MHz
In addition to these, there are nine other key transmitter locations that will be offline, including Windsor, Salisbury, and New Kent.
What This Means for Residents
The outage means that NOAA Weather Radios will not be able to receive weather warnings or alerts through audio broadcasts until the service is restored. However, it’s important to note that weather warnings and alerts will still be available through other channels, including smartphones, TV, and online services.
NWS Wakefield has advised all residents to rely on alternative methods to stay informed about severe weather during this period. Smartphone weather apps, local news sources, and NWS Wakefield’s social media accounts are excellent alternatives for real-time updates.
Service Restoration Timeline
While the NWS Wakefield office expects the update to be completed by Thursday afternoon, there may be some delays if issues arise with the system. Residents are advised to check local updates for the most accurate information.
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts across eastern Virginia will be offline until Thursday due to a software update at the NWS Wakefield office. While automated weather alerts through other platforms will continue, affected residents should monitor local news, smartphone apps, and social media for real-time weather warnings.
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