Weather Radios to Be Temporarily Offline During NWS System Upgrade Amid Severe Weather Threat

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — As a round of potentially severe weather approaches Central Alabama, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Birmingham is preparing for a critical system upgrade that will temporarily take NOAA Weather Radio transmitters offline.

The upgrade, set to begin Monday, May 19, is expected to last through Wednesday, May 21, and will affect weather radio coverage during a period when tornadoes and strong storms are possible. The upgrade involves a scheduled update to the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), a crucial tool used by the NWS to integrate and distribute weather data and alerts.

“This is going to help us make sure we have a secure system and continue doing what we do to get forecasts and warnings out in a timely manner,” said John De Block, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the NWS in Birmingham. “Just like when you upgrade your phone and everything runs faster, that’s what we’re hoping for.”

The AWIPS upgrade will temporarily halt NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts from transmitters in several Alabama locations, including Winfield, Oneonta, Birmingham, Anniston, Tuscaloosa, Demopolis, Selma, Montgomery, Auburn, and Texasville.

While the Birmingham forecast office will remain open and fully staffed throughout the upgrade, operations will be supported by a backup service office in Peachtree City, Georgia. The NWS states that no interruption is expected for forecast products, watches, warnings, or advisories beyond the radio alert system.

Still, with the chance of severe storms expected Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the NWS urges residents to prepare by using multiple methods to receive weather warnings.

Make sure to have alternate ways of getting vital weather information. Weather radios may be down, but stay tuned to WEIS Radio, and we will continue to provide real-time updates.

The upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the speed and reliability of critical weather communications and is expected to be completed by the end of the week.

Stay informed. Stay safe.