40/29 News is pleased to bring a new, state-of-the art personal storm warning service to Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley.

A recent improvement in how the National Weather Service defines warning areas has resulted in significantly higher accuracy and smaller warned areas, compared to the decades-old countywide warning method.

The WeatherCall system continuously monitors the National Weather Service’s NOAA weatherwire. Using GIS (computerized mapping), the system compares a subscriber's specific location to the location of the warning area. When a severe weather warning includes your location, you will receive a phone call from chief meteorologist, Drew Michaels, no matter what time of day. Or, if you prefer, you can receive an SMS text message to your mobile phone that severe weather is in your immediate area. If you register an e-mail address, the alert is sent containing a link to a localized map with the warning area displayed on it.

WeatherCall is a subscription-based service that costs only $6 per year. When you register, the system attempts to assign a precise latitude and longitude value to your location. If you enter a street address the system recognizes, your service begins immediately. If there is a problem determining your location (for instance, a new housing development), there are easy steps to follow to locate yourself and send your information to WeatherCall Customer Care who will enter you into the system.

Important things to know if you choose to subscribe to the service:

You must provide a physical street address. P. boxes, mail stops, rural routes, etc. cannot be located in the system. If you do not know your physical address, you can follow the steps provided and attempt to accurately locate yourself, or contact your local U.S. post office or county clerk’s office, or email the WeatherCall Customer Care Team for help info@weathercall.net. You can also call their customer care department at 1-800-260-6695.

For each location, you may register up to three telephone numbers and three e-mail addresses. The system will email you a detailed map of the warning area, on an interactive Google map.

All tornado warnings are delivered. You may also choose to receive severe thunderstorm and/or flash flood warnings, and how they are delivered (phone call and/or e-mail).

Click here to sign up for WeatherCall