Weather Information
Within the state of Washington, weather information is primarily received through the National Weather Service Weather Wire and Radio. The Weather Wire is served through a satellite downlink with the information transported to the state EOC and Washington State Patrol (WSP) ACCESS Operations via Department of Transportation (DOT) and WSP microwave radio systems. At WSP ACCESS Operations, selected Washington weather products/information are retransmitted via the WSP ACCESS network to local jurisdictions. Through the Weather Wire, appropriate weather warnings, watches, special weather statements, and other valuable information is available in narrative/text form.
New to the Weather Service and the state is the Emergency Manager's Weather Information Network (EMWIN). EMWIN is a computer-based network using the Weathernode software and GOES 9 weather satellite downlink. EMWIN was developed as a tool for emergency managers for obtaining essential real time weather information that is needed particularly during any emergency or disaster situation.
The Weather Radio network is comprised of several Very High Frequency (VHF) transmitters located throughout the state. Operating on a 24-hour basis, up-to-date weather information is broadcast continuously. For warnings, watches, or any severe weather situations, the network can alert receiving stations prior to disseminating the information. To receive the weather information, government and private/public agencies must have a commercially available weather radio receiver which can be purchased from several vendors. Through assistance of the Washington Grange, weather radio receivers have been provided to school districts throughout the state. The following map depicts the location of the weather radio transmitters within the state. A list of the transmitter sites and operating frequency is also provided.
Additional information is available at National Weather Service, or the following NWS offices:
- NWS Seattle - serves northwest Washington from Lewis and Grays Harbor counties northward.
- NWS Portland - serves the counties along the Columbia river in southwest Washington.
- NWS Spokane - serves northeast Washington from Chelan to Garfield and Asotin counties.
- NWS Pendleton - serves south central Washington from Kittitas to Columbia counties.
To view Weather Radio transmitter information for Washington State, visit the NOAA Weather Radio website.
British ColumbiaWeather Radio Canada |
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| Transmitter Site | Frequency | Operated by | Washington Counties Covered |
| XLA-852 Abbotsford | 162.550 MHz | Environment Canada | Whatcom, San Juan |
| XMD-482 Castlegar | 162.550 MHz | Environment Canada | Pend Oreille, Stevens, Ferry |
| XMD-480 Kelowna | 162.550 MHz | Environment Canada | Okanogan, Ferry |
| XMD-481 Penticton | 162.475 MHz | Environment Canada | Okanogan, Ferry |
| Swartz Bay | 1260 AM | Environment Canada | Whatcom, Clallam, Jefferson |
| Ucluelet / Pacific Rim | 1260 AM | Environment Canada | Clallam |
| CFA-240 Vancouver | 162.400 MHz | Environment Canada | Clallam, San Juan, Whatcom |