{"id":45205,"date":"2020-09-05T08:24:10","date_gmt":"2020-09-05T12:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=45205"},"modified":"2020-09-05T08:32:49","modified_gmt":"2020-09-05T12:32:49","slug":"weatheradio-canada-considers-shutting-down-48-network-transmitters-across-the-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/weatheradio-canada-considers-shutting-down-48-network-transmitters-across-the-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Weatheradio Canada considers shutting down 48 network transmitters across the country"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Storm<\/a>Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post<\/em> readers who’ve recently contacted me regarding announced closures at Weatheradio Canada. Dennis Dura recently shared this link from the Weatheradio Newsletter<\/a> which is essentially a call to action to save the Weatheradio service.<\/p>\n

For those of you not familiar, Weatheradio Canada<\/a> is very much like NOAA Weather Radio<\/a> service in the US: essentially, a vast network of transmitters which provide local forecasts and weather warnings. Both Weatheradio Canada and NOAA Weather Radio use seven fixed frequencies of 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz.<\/p>\n

I found it difficult to believe that Canada would close their entire network of Weatheradio FM transmitters because, like the US, there are vast rural and remote areas that are well-served by the radio network. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been camping or travelling outside of mobile phone network coverage in the US and Canada and relied on weather radio for my forecast.<\/p>\n

I decided to reach out to Environment and Climate Change Canada and get their official word. Here’s the response I received from their Media Relations representative:<\/p>\n

As Canada\u2019s official source for weather forecasts and alerts, Canadians rely on getting the latest current weather conditions from Environment and Climate Change Canada\u2019s (ECCC) Meteorological Service. Since 1871, Canada\u2019s Meteorological Service has continuously adapted to and taken advantage of the latest science and technology to maximize services to Canadians, including those living in remote or Northern areas, or areas without cellular service.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Weatheradio network, introduced in the 70\u2019s, is made up of 230 transmitting stations. For the most part, these Weatheradio transmitters are in urban areas with plenty of options for accessing weather information and alerts, e.g. internet, mobile apps, radio, television. ECCC has identified 48 Weatheradio transmitters across Canada for potential decommissioning. Of these 48, 12 in Ontario, three are in BC, three in AB, five in SK, four in MB, five in QC, five in NB, three in NS, one in PEI and seven in NL.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In other words, Environment and Climate Change Canada is considering decommissioning about 21% of their Weatheradio transmitters, targeting ones located in urban areas.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The Midland WR120 weather radio.<\/p><\/div>\n

I haven’t seen a map of the transmitters marked for potential closure, but I strongly suspect if you live in a very rural area you’re unlikely to be affected.<\/p>\n

If you live in an urban area, however, and routinely rely on a weather radio for forecasts and automatic alerts, you may soon only hear static.<\/p>\n

If you feel strongly about these potential changes within the Weatheradio Canada network, I suggest you reach out to your Member of Parliament<\/a> and Environment and Climate Change Canada.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to a number of SWLing Post readers who’ve recently contacted me regarding announced closures at Weatheradio Canada. Dennis Dura recently shared this link from the Weatheradio Newsletter which is essentially a call to action to save the Weatheradio service. For those of you not familiar, Weatheradio Canada is very much like NOAA Weather […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,6578],"tags":[3463,8798,8797],"class_list":["post-45205","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-weather-radio","tag-weather-radio","tag-weatheradio-canada","tag-weatheradio-canada-closures"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-bL7","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":65433,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2026\/02\/breaking-news-environment-canada-to-permanently-shut-down-vhf-weatheradio-and-hello-weather-on-march-16-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":0},"title":"Breaking News: Environment Canada to permanently shut down VHF Weatheradio (and Hello Weather) on March 16, 2026","author":"Thomas","date":"February 24, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Paul Evans, who first tipped me that Environment Canada is ending Weatheradio and the Hello Weather service effective March 16, 2026. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has posted the following notice: Change to services: Starting March 16, 2026, Weatheradio and Hello Weather services\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kenwood-TH-D75-Weather-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kenwood-TH-D75-Weather-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kenwood-TH-D75-Weather-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kenwood-TH-D75-Weather-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Kenwood-TH-D75-Weather-Radio-1.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":45233,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/radio-waves-brazil-proposes-end-of-all-ham-radio-exams-radio-engineer-files-objection-to-wipe-radio-in-the-malvinas-war-and-list-of-48-weatheradio-sites-in-proposed-closure\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":1},"title":"Radio Waves: Brazil Proposes End of all Ham Radio Exams, Radio Engineer Files Objection to WIPE, Radio in the Malvinas War, and List of 48 Weatheradio Sites in Proposed Closure","author":"Thomas","date":"September 7, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ham Radio"","block_context":{"text":"Ham Radio","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/ham-radio\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Icom IC-756 Pro Transceiver Dial","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Icom-IC-756-Pro-3.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":51938,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/jock-shares-a-bit-more-about-noaa-weather-radio\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":2},"title":"Jock shares: “A bit more about NOAA Weather Radio”","author":"Thomas","date":"February 20, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0contributor,\u00a0Jock Elliott, who shares the following guest post: A bit more about NOAA Weather Radio By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM Okay, I\u2019ll admit it: I\u2019m a fan, an advocate, an evangelist for NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). Why? Because, quite simply, if you live in the United States, it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Guest Posts"","block_context":{"text":"Guest Posts","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/guest-posts\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Weather-Clouds.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Weather-Clouds.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Weather-Clouds.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Weather-Clouds.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":57051,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2023\/06\/bell-media-closures-and-shortwave-impact\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":3},"title":"Bell Media Closures and Shortwave Impact?","author":"Thomas","date":"June 15, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Tracy Wood, who writes: Thomas You might have seen the news that Bell Media (Canada) is shutting down six major market AM stations and selling off some others. This has a shortwave angle... One station shuttered is \"Funny 1060\" CKMX in Calgary. This station\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Funny-1060-AM-793x420-1-300x240.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":3892,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2012\/07\/rcis-radio-silence\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":4},"title":"RCI’s “radio silence”","author":"Thomas","date":"July 8, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"This well-written, comprehensive take on RCI's closures does an excellent job of addressing radio's continued relevance in our current socio-political climate. It even includes a brief quote from yours truly. \u00a0Thanks, Rich, for\u00a0bringing this to my attention. (Source: rabble.ca\u00a0by Garth Mullis) Across the Indian sub-continent and Asia, shortwave radio sets\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/10\/RCI-300x93.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":45092,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/radio-waves-possible-radio-tv-closures-in-canada-bauer-closes-stations-in-england-and-wales-wwj-at-100-years-voa-staff-fear-political-agenda-by-pack-and-latest-issue-of-the-communicator\/","url_meta":{"origin":45205,"position":5},"title":"Radio Waves: Possible Radio & TV Closures in Canada, Bauer closes stations in England and Wales, WWJ at 100 years, VOA staff fear political agenda by Pack, and latest issue of The Communicator","author":"Thomas","date":"September 3, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Radio Waves:\u00a0 Stories Making Waves in the World of Radio Because I keep my ear to the waves, as well as receive many tips from others who do the same, I find myself privy to radio-related stories that might interest\u00a0SWLing Post\u00a0readers.\u00a0 To that end:\u00a0Welcome to the\u00a0SWLing Post\u2019s Radio Waves, a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/JRC-515-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/JRC-515-Dial.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/JRC-515-Dial.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/JRC-515-Dial.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45205\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}