Description: The National Weather Service (NWS) has replaced the TV broadcast of ‘Alaska Weather’ with a modified web-based version of the program, effective July 1, 2023. With Alaska Public Media no longer supporting the NWS to produce and air the daily ‘Alaska Weather’ television program, the NWS has developed a modified web-based version of the program to continue to support users of weather information in Alaska. The new, modified daily forecast of ‘Alaska Weather’ information is separated into a general weather outlook, aviation weather, and marine weather, and is found on the NWS Alaska YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@nwsalaska and at https://www.weather.gov/afc/tv.
In addition, web-based forecast content included in the TV broadcast continues to be available via multiple sources listed here: http://weather.gov/media/infoservicechanges/Alaska_Weather_links.pdf
For users without access to high-speed Internet service, NOAA Weather Radio will remain available to those who currently have access. The statewide Public and Marine forecasts will continue to be available over the phone through the Alaska Weather Information Line at 1-855-937-4977 and https://www.weather.gov/arh/awil
Feedback Requested: These alternatives to the previously broadcasted ‘Alaska Weather’ TV program, are an immediate short-term replacement for broadcast content. NWS has initiated an extensive stakeholder engagement effort to work with rural users to better understand their current needs and technical capabilities for accessing critical NWS information. NWS is currently soliciting comments, through July 30, 2023 on these changes and suggestions for ways to improve services to pilots, station agents, mechanics, dispatchers, fishermen, hunters, and other users of NWS weather information in rural Alaskan communities. We are particularly interested to learn: 1) Current sources of weather or climate information used by rural Alaskan residents; 2) Any additional weather or climate information that is needed but is not currently available; 3) What sources of communication are used to receive weather information; 4) Suggestions for addressing coverage gaps in rural communities; and 5) The impacts of replacing the television broadcast with a web-based version.
Input received from this notice and through engagement efforts will be used to inform whether additional changes will be made to NWS services. Please send comments/input, as requested above, to nws.service-changecomments@noaa.gov.
For questions or information requests about this notice, please contact: Carrie M. Haisley Chief, Emergency Services and Multimedia Branch Alaska Environmental Science and Service Integration Center Anchorage, AK Email: carrie.haisley@noaa.gov and Donald (Don) Moore Director, Alaska Environmental Science and Services Integration Center Anchorage, AK Email: donald.moore@noaa.gov. National Service Change Notices are online at: https://www.weather.gov/notification/.
