National Weather Service Jackson, Kentucky facts for kids
The National Weather Service office in Jackson, Kentucky, helps keep people safe by watching the weather for 33 counties in Eastern Kentucky. This office was built because of a big flood that happened in April 1977. The National Weather Service Jackson has been giving weather forecasts for parts of Eastern Kentucky since 1981.
History
Building the weather office near Jackson started in late 1979 and finished in 1980. It officially opened on January 1, 1981.
How it Started
From the 1980s to the early 1990s, the Jackson office was known as a "Weather Service Office" (WSO). It sent out weather warnings for 17 counties in East and Southeast Kentucky.
Modernizing Weather Tools
In the mid-1990s, the National Weather Service updated its tools. This was needed to use new technology like the WSR-88D Doppler weather radar and the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). These new tools help forecasters see weather patterns better.
During the upgrades, some work moved to a temporary office in a mobile trailer. Weather observations stayed in the old building. But the team that issued warnings moved to the trailer, which was near the new radar tower. They used phones to talk between the two places. After the new WSR-88D radar was set up, the old radar tower was taken down.
NOAA Weather Radio
NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts give regular weather information for Eastern Kentucky. They share details like river forecasts and climate data. When severe weather is coming, forecasters at the National Weather Service Jackson office can stop the regular broadcasts. They then send out special warning messages. These messages tell people about immediate dangers to their lives and property. The Jackson office provides programming for 20 NOAA Weather Radio stations across Kentucky.
| City of license | Call sign | Frequency (MHz) |
|---|---|---|
| Somerset | KIH44 | 162.550 MHz |
| Mount Vernon | WWG70 | 162.425 MHz |
| London | WWG65 | 162.475 MHz |
| Williamsburg | WWG78 | 162.500 MHz |
| Monticello | WWG80 | 162.425 MHz |
| Morehead | WWG71 | 162.400 MHz |
| Stanton | WWG61 | 162.550 MHz |
| Frenchburg | WWG63 | 162.475 MHz |
| West Liberty | WWG79 | 162.450 MHz |
| Irvine | WNG727 | 162.475 MHz |
| Hazard | KIH40 | 162.475 MHz |
| Jackson | WWG26 | 162.425 MHz |
| Manchester | WWG66 | 162.400 MHz |
| Harlan | WWG68 | 162.450 MHz |
| Pikeville | WWG69 | 162.400 MHz |
| Paintsville | WWG28 | 162.525 MHz |
| McKee | WWG64 | 162.450 MHz |
| Pineville | WWG62 | 162.525 MHz |
| Phelps | WWG81 | 162.500 MHz |
| Beattyville | WWG67 | 162.500 MHz |
