Cheap Lee Valley Emergency Weather Radio

This is an excellent weather-alert radio. To warn you of severe weather, it detects signals 24 hours a day from climate-monitoring centers throughout North America and issues an immediate alert if hazardous conditions are approaching your region.

As soon as an official watch, warning or advisory is issued, it displays a scrolling message across the screen and flashes a color-coded LED indicator. You can choose to receive an audio signal in the form of a voice announcement or siren for any of the weather alerts. In addition, the radio’s digital AM/FM tuner has weather-band channels that carry local forecasts, and a shortwave radio setting.

The rechargeable 5200mAh lithium-ion battery stores enough power to run for up to 48 hours of continuous radio play, or to charge a cell phone or other small electronics in an emergency (2.1 amp output). The battery is recharged using the crank-operated internal dynamo or the integrated solar panel.

You can also use the included USB cable to draw power from a PC or a standard USB AC power adapter (not included). In situations where you cannot recharge the battery, the radio will accept three AAA batteries (not included) as a backup power source.

About 7″ × 5 3/4″ × 2 1/4″, the radio has a built-in LED flashlight, a red flashing emergency beacon and a frosted LED array that gives a soft, diffused light. Rugged, weather resistant and Bluetooth compatible, it is a reliable way to be warned of adverse weather.

In Canada, the Meteorological Service of Canada provides weather bulletins on the Weatheradio network (canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/weatheradio). In the U.S., weather information is broadcast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (weather.gov). Check for availability of service in your area.