Outdoor Public Warning System (OPWS)

The Rolling Meadows Outdoor Public Warning System is a network five strategically located sirens throughout the City of Rolling Meadows.

The purpose of the OPWS systems is to alert citizens, who are outside, when a tornado is sighted, in or near, the vicinity of Rolling Meadows.

Sirens are activated when a Severe Weather Warning is issued by the National Weather Service when a tornado is indicated by radar, or when a trained weather spotter has actually sighted a tornado.

When you hear the siren, take shelter immediately! Do NOT CALL 9-1-1 unless you see the tornado or need to report an emergency. Instead, tune to radio or TV/cable for the latest official information from the National Weather Service.

Chicago land broadcast stations:

AM:            WSCR-AM 670, WGN-AM 720, WBBM-AM 780

Cable/TV:    CBS-2, NBC-5, ABC-7, WGN-9, FOX-32, and CLTV News

All Clear

In keeping with the policy of the National Weather Service, the issuance of an "ALL CLEAR" alert is not issued by the City of Rolling Meadows. Monitor commercial radio and television stations for further weather information.

NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office, Chicago, IL

Testing

Testing of the Rolling Meadows OPWS system is on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m.  Sirens are tested for 3-5 minutes.

 NOAA Weather Radio receivers  

The National Weather Service operates five radio stations broadcasting all hazards radio broadcasts 24 hours a day. Consumer Information.

IMPORTANT RESIDENT UPDATE:

03-04-2008

The Rolling Meadows Park District, Rolling Meadows High School District 214, William Fremd High School, Palatine, IL, have installed the ThorGuardian Lightning Prediction system. The unit monitors the atmosphere's electrostatic energy as far away as 15 miles and evaluates the potential for lighting within an area of approximately 2 miles in radius. When the system determines a hazardous condition, the air-horns and strobe light provide necessary alerts.

These sirens should not be confused with the Rolling Meadows Outdoor Public Warning System. The OPWS activates when a tornado has been sighted or indicated by RADAR while the ThorGuardian sounds warnings for threats of lightning.