Americans all around the country are familiar with the National Weather Service and the weather reports that break into TV shows and radio broadcasts during emergencies. The problem for millions of people around the country is that during inclement weather many people aren't around a radio or television.

To combat this issue, the National Weather Service has a new Wireless Emergency Alerts system that will send messages to mobile phones. The system is capable of sending out a blanket warning to mobile devices in the path of dangerous storms.

The system will launch Thursday and will notify people of approaching tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, and other threats. When a warning of inclement weather is issued for specific county, short text messages of no more than 90 Characters will be sent modern smartphones. The smartphones will post messages while sounding a special tone and vibrating.

 

The interesting part about this Wireless Emergency Alert system is that people don't have to sign up for the service and there is no cost for the text messages. If users prefer not to receive these messages, they can opt out. However, it appears that everyone is automatically opted in.

 

"These alerts will make sure people are aware of any impending danger and provide them with the information needed so they can be safe until the threat is over," said Amy Storey, spokeswoman for CTIA-The Wireless Association, an industry trade group that helped set up the system.

 

The system doesn't work with all smartphones and it doesn't work in all areas at this point. 

 

Wireless carriers that provide service to about 97% of U.S. subscribers have agreed to participate in the program including the major wireless networks of AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile are supporting the service nationwide. AT&T only offers the service in New York City, Washington DC, and Portland Oregon. AT&T does say more markets will be added as time goes by.