Severe Weather
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NWS Daily Briefing
National Weather Service's Daily Multimedia Briefing
The Central Alabama Impact Briefing is designed to keep you informed about significant upcoming hazardous weather. The briefing will be updated at least twice per day when certain hazards (severe/tornado, winter, flood & tropical) are highlighted in the Hazardous Weather Outlook, with additional updates as needed. Information will consist of any potential hazards over the next 7 days, the latest forecast challenges and forecast uncertainty.
NOAA Weather Radio
NWR transmitters broadcast on one of seven VHF frequencies. The broadcasts cannot be heard on a simple AM/FM radio receiver. There are many receiver options, however, ranging from handheld portable units that just pick up Weather Radio broadcasts, to desktop and console models which receive Weather Radio as well as other broadcasts. More Information on NOAA Weather Radio
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Autauga - Eastern |
Autauga - Western Selma Transmitter Call Sign WNG635 Frequency 162.450 More Information |
SAF-T-NET App
Alabama SAF-T-NET App
Smartphone users can now download a free app to receive severe weather notifications from the popular Alabama SAF-T-Net program. The Alabama SAF-T-Net app is also a full service weather app featuring radar images, an hour-by-hour forecast and more, in addition to sending Alabama SAF-T-Net notifications for up to four monitored locations. By downloading the free app, a smartphone automatically becomes one location; the user can then identify up to three additional locations to be monitored such as work, school or home. The user will get notifications through the app if the phone (and user) or any monitored location is in the path of severe weather.
“An app was the next logical step in the Alabama SAF-T-Net program. The ‘Follow Me’ technology that allows a phone’s internal GPS to act as a monitored location is the ultimate in site-specific, location-based weather. It doesn’t matter if you are at the ball field, the movies, or a dance recital; if the smartphone in your pocket or purse has the Alabama SAF-T-Net app, you will receive push notifications when you are in the path of severe weather, giving you time to take action,” stated Bob Baron, President and CEO of Baron Services.
Baron Services donated the Alabama SAF-T-Net program to the residents of the state of Alabama in early 2012 in response to a need identified by the Tornado Recovery Action Council (TRAC) for “a statewide, integrated severe-weather alert system that provides more-precise alerts for individuals and businesses than current countywide warnings, allows individuals to enroll phone numbers, and takes advantage of smartphone technologies.” Alabama Governor Robert Bentley commissioned the council to study and report on the events of April 27, 2011.
The free Alabama SAF-T-Net app is available through the Apple App Store for iPhones and Google Play Store for Android devices beginning May 21, 2013. Residents who already use Alabama SAF-T-Net through text, email or voice call should visit the FAQ page on AlabamaSAFTNET.com to deactivate that account after downloading the app. Deactivating the original account will prevent duplicate notifications.
About Baron Services
A leading weather technology company, Baron Services specializes in providing state-of-the-science weather information to governments, businesses and broadcasters. With numerous patents in weather technology, Baron serves the industry as experts in weather integration, data analysis and processing, modeling, and radar manufacturing. In partnership with L-3 STRATIS, Baron Services is nearing completion on an upgrade of the nation’s system of 171 NWS Doppler radars to dual-polarity. Through Baron’s Velocity Weather API, Baron Services now offers web-delivered meteorological data streams for integration into a range of devices and services such as smart phone/tablet apps, websites, MFDs, chart plotters, and more. Baron Services is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. For more news and information on Baron Services, please visit www.baronservices.com
Ping4Alerts App
Ping4alerts!
Download Apple iOS (App Store)
Download Android (Google Play)
Ping4Alerts is currently not
available for Windows Mobile
or Blackberry.
Ping4Alerts is a communication tool used by the Prattville Public Safety Officials to disseminate critical information to smartphones. Through geofencing technology of the app, the Prattville Public Safety Officials can send highly targeted, instant multimedia alerts to iPhone and Android devices to notify citizens about important public safety and emergency information for their location.
The free ping4alerts! app is currently available for many mobile platforms. Download it today by searching for "ping4alerts" or clicking on the links.
Sample screenshots of National Weather Service (NWS) and EMA alerts:
FAQ for Prattville Alerts
Q: What is Prattville Alerts?
A: Prattville Alerts is a communication tool used by Prattville Public Safety Officials to disseminate critical information to smartphones. Prattville Alerts is powered by a free downloadable application app (called ping4alerts) that is available for Android and iPhone devices based on your location. Currently the app is available for iPhone and Android platforms.
Q: Where do I get the app or get more information?
A: The ping4alerts! app can be downloaded from iTunes or the App Store for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod) and the Google Play online store for Android devices. More information can also be found on the Ping4 website.
Q: What type of alerts will I receive?
A: Once you download the app, you can adjust your preferences in the settings section of the app. The default settings include receiving "public safety" messages from organizations like Prattville Public Safety and weather warnings (like tornado, thunderstorm, flash flood, blizzard, hurricane, and more) from the National Weather Service. The settings also allow you to receive less severe weather alerts if you wish such as weather watches, advisories, and special weather statements from the National Weather Service.
Q: How will Prattville Alerts notify me if an alert has been sent about severe weather or other emergencies?
A: When a new alert is sent, the ping4alerts! app will cause your phone to sound an audible alert and it will push a notification to your phone’s screen. The sound settings for notifications can be adjusted in the app's "settings" section. In addition, certain severe messages about life threatening conditions may override the phone’s silent or vibrate settings to ensure that the user gets the message.
Q: What do I do after receiving a message?
A: It depends on the nature of the event. The message may contain a recommended course of action. The message may also provide prompt you to access additional critical information by touching buttons or links on the ping4alerts! message screen. You should also check other sources of information, such as the radio or television or information from public safety officials. Do not call 9-1-1 unless you have an emergency.
Q: Is the ping4alerts! app storing or tracking my information?
A: No, the ping4alerts! app uses your location when you have location services enabled on your smartphone. The location information is used to provide the warnings if you are in the affected area. While Ping4alerts! is aware of your location, it does not receive or store any identifying information from your smartphone. In other words it knows where you are, not who you are or anything about you.
Q: What functions will the app have if cellular and data networks are down?
A: The app relies on data service to provide situational information. If there is no data service available, the messages will not be received until the data service is operational.
Q: Is this the same as other emergency cell phone alerts that I have heard about?
A: Separate from this app, the wireless industry, the FCC, and FEMA are developing the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system. Certain cell phones are currently WEA compatible with the list expected to grow in the future. The Prattville Emergency Management Agency will use Ping4alerts! and the WEA to provide critical information to the public; each system provides certain benefits. The WEA only pushes text messages while ping4alerts! has the ability to target a specific area for a message and it has the ability for two way communications and can include images, video and links to more information. The Prattville Emergency Management Agency strongly recommends that smartphone users in Prattville utilize ping4alerts! and WEA to receive critical information during emergencies.
Q: I am having trouble with the app and I believe it is not working correctly. What should I do?
A: Once the ping4alerts! app has been downloaded, please make sure that the location services for the app are enabled so that you can receive specific warnings and messages based on your location. There is also a feature in the settings to send yourself a test message. If there are specific technical questions, there is a “report a problem” option within the app’s settings, or you can email: .