National Weather Service North Little Rock, Arkansas facts for kids
The National Weather Service - North Little Rock, Arkansas is like a special weather team that helps keep people safe in Arkansas! This office, also known as the National Weather Service - Little Rock, Arkansas, watches the weather for a big part of the state. They cover 47 out of Arkansas's 75 counties. Other weather offices in places like Tulsa, Shreveport, Jackson (Mississippi), and Memphis help watch the rest of Arkansas.
The office in North Little Rock, Arkansas uses amazing technology to help them predict the weather. They have a special radar system called WSR-88D (also known as NEXRAD) and a computer system called Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS). These tools make their weather forecasts much better! The radar system they use has a special code: LZK. The team in North Little Rock is in charge of creating daily weather forecasts, sending out warnings when bad weather is coming, and giving updates. They also provide special weather information for airplanes, which is called aviation weather. The National Weather Service in North Little Rock also helps program 12 NOAA Weather Radio transmitters across Arkansas. These radios broadcast important weather alerts.
What the North Little Rock Weather Team Does
The National Weather Service office in North Little Rock has a team of experts who work hard to keep everyone informed about the weather. They have different roles, but they all work together.
- Meteorologist-in-Charge (MIC): This person is like the team leader, making sure everything runs smoothly.
- Warning Coordination Meteorologist (WCM): This expert helps share weather warnings with the public and other organizations.
- Science and Operations Officer (SOO): This person focuses on using the latest science and technology to improve weather forecasting.
- Service Hydrologist: This specialist watches rivers and lakes to predict floods and other water-related weather events.
- Forecasters: These meteorologists are the ones who actually predict the weather, create forecasts, and issue warnings.
Helping Airplanes with Weather Forecasts
The North Little Rock weather office also creates special weather forecasts for airports. These forecasts are called Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs). They tell pilots and airport staff about the weather conditions expected at specific airports. This helps make sure flights are safe.
Here are some of the airports in Arkansas that get TAFs from this office:
- Dexter B. Florence Memorial Field (KADF)
- Ozark Regional Airport (KBPK)
- Memorial Field Airport (KHOT)
- Boone County Airport (KHRO)
- Clinton National Airport (KLIT)
- Monticello Municipal Airport (KLLQ)
- Grider Field (KPBF)
NOAA Weather Radio Stations
The National Weather Service in North Little Rock helps program many NOAA Weather Radio stations. These special radios broadcast weather alerts and information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are a great way to get important weather warnings, especially during severe storms.
Here are some of the NOAA Weather Radio stations that this office helps manage:
- KXI91 - Morrilton, 162.475 MHz
- KXI92 - High Peak, 162.425 MHz
- KXI96 - Russell-Russell Mtn., 162.400 MHz
- KXI97 - Mena-Eagle Mtn., 162.400 MHz
- WNG639 - Cherokee Village-Agnos, 162.475 MHz
- WWF96 - Russellville, 162.525 MHz
- WWG54 - Yellville-Rea Valley, 162.500 MHz
- WXJ48 - Gurdon, 162.475 MHz
- WXJ54 - Star City, 162.400 MHz
- WXJ55 - Little Rock-Shinall Mtn., 162.500 MHz
- WXL66 - Mountain View, 162.450 MHz
- WXN92 - Harrison, 162.525 MHz
