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NOAA Weather Radio: How It Works and How to Set It Up for Your County

By Twisters.us · Updated · How we count

A weather radio is the warning that still works when you are asleep, the power is out or cell service is down.

What it is

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a network of more than 1,000 transmitters run by the National Weather Service. It broadcasts forecasts and warnings around the clock. A weather radio with an alert feature stays silent until a warning is issued, then sounds an alarm and switches on.

SAME codes: alerts just for your county

Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) lets the radio sound only for the counties you choose. Program your county’s six-digit SAME code (and neighboring counties’ if storms often approach from there). The National Weather Service publishes codes and transmitter coverage maps.

What to look for

  • SAME county programming.
  • Battery backup (and a way to charge it).
  • An alert tone loud enough to wake you, and a display that shows the alert type.
  • Accessibility options such as strobe lights or bed shakers for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
  • Weather radios that meet the Public Alert standard are designed for this.

Sources

Sources last checked 1 November 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a weather radio if I have phone alerts?

Phone alerts are good, but a weather radio still works when cell networks are down and wakes you at night. Have both.

How do I find my county’s SAME code?

The National Weather Service publishes SAME codes by county on its NOAA Weather Radio pages.

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