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ALERT System - Weather Forecasts
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OVERVIEW
During the storm season, October
15 through April 15, Environmental Resources Staff monitor weather
forecasts, surf swell forecasts, and long range weather outlooks.
Selected daily weather and surf swell forecasts are downloaded and
paced on the RDMD Intranet, Monday through Friday. Weather Forecasts
fall into three categories: daily forecasts which provide weather
information for the immediate time period and extending out for
the next three to ten days, long range Climatological outlooks,
and watches and warnings issued by the NWS Forecast Office in San
Diego.
Weather Forecasts are used by the various RDMD divisions for deciding
upon the requirements for staffing levels during storm conditions.
SATELLITE
/ RADIO DELIVERED WEATHER
Environmental Resources operates
and maintains two systems that receive weather information directly
from the National Weather Service, consisting of: 1) forecasts,
2) flash flood watches and warnings, and 3) urban flood advisories.
NOAA Weather Radio
The Weather Radio Receiver, located in the
ALERT Computer room, receives audible weather broadcasts provided
by the NOAA radio stations located on Mount Wilson (162.550 MHz)
and the Santa Ana Mountains (162.450). During storms the radio is
normally on with the audible output off. The radio responds to special
forecasts, watches and warning by turning on the radio's speaker
and issuing a loud warning tone followed by the forecast message.
The audible output remains on until manually turned off.
EMWIN System
The weather information
broadcast by the Emergency Managers
Weather Information Network (EMWIN)
is received at Katella Yard through a WX-11 GOES Weather Info-Net
Receiver equipped with a one meter satellite dish. The EMWIN
data stream is transmitted by the National Weather Service through
their GOES weather satellites. The data stream provides basic weather
warnings, watches, forecasts and other weather products for the
entire United States. Weather information is decoded and displayed
on a Personal Computer running Maryland Radio Center, Inc. WeatherNode
software.
INTERNET
WEATHER RESOURCES
Weather and Surf Swell information
for Orange County is obtained from a number of Internet sources
including: 1) the National Weather Service Forecast Office, San
Diego Web Site, 2) the NOAA National Climatological Forecast Center
Web Site, and 3) the California Coastal Data Information Program
(CDIP) Web Site.
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ALERT System