Weather Radios: Deals On Tools For Tracking Florida's Severe Storms

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay area residents are no strangers to severe weather and have a keen understanding of just how quickly the tables can turn. Bright, sunny conditions can rapidly degrade into torrential downpours, dangerous lightning strikes and an occasional tornado or two.

That’s not even considering the possibilities for dangerous weather that Hurricane Season always brings with it. And, as an El Nino weather pattern threatens to bring increased chances for severe weather to Tampa Bay this winter and into early spring, the National Weather Service strongly urges residents to have access to weather radios at their homes and offices. These devices enable users to get weather forecasts and severe weather alerts directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. With loud alert noises, weather radios are designed to make certain listeners know when severe weather is approaching them.

See Also:

• Severe Storms Possible As Front Moves Into Area
• Photos: Cape Coral Tornado Left Damage In Its Wake
• Severe Storms, Tornadoes in Tampa Bay’s Winter Forecast

In addition to weather radios, weather service forecasters also say smartphone apps designed to send local weather alerts can also be useful.

As for those weather radios, they “are so loud, they’ll wake you up in the middle of the night,” weather service meteorologist Robert Garcia said.

If a tornado happens to be bearing down, that type of alert can buy listeners valuable time to get to safe locations, forecasters say.

Weather radios are available locally at big box stores, grocery stores and drug stores. For those who prefer to do their shopping online, Amazon.com offers a number of models, many eligible for Prime two-day shipping. Models offered on Amazon range from about $19.99 to upwards of $60. Some models are even combination designs that couple weather radios with an LED flashlight and smartphone chargers, among other side perks.

Amazon’s complete lineup of NOAA weather radios can be found on its website.

NOAA weather radios receive weather service advisory broadcasts and emergency alerts without the need for paying a monthly subscription. They are generally battery operated or draw solar energy so they can function in poor weather conditions.