On Tusday NIU Weather launched cable Channel 26, which viewers on campus can tune to for 24-hour weather coverage.

Forecasts, emergency information, severe weather alerts and live audio coverage from The National Weather Service will be broadcast.

“When the weather gets bad, we now have ways to keep people informed,” staff meteorologist Gilbert Sebenste said.

Final touches are being added to make the service fully available. In the upcoming weeks, viewers can expect to see more maps and full local weather information.

During the winter months, the channel will display school closings and emergency updates.

NIU Weather spent $5,000 to buy Channel 26. It also spent on a computer system to give automated updates, which will be installed as soon as the service becomes available.

“This is a win-win situation for people at NIU,” Sebenste said. “They can see what’s going on around them while still knowing that it didn’t cost them money.”

The weather service also can be seen via www.weather.niu.edu.

Sebenste encourages viewers to make suggestions regarding the channel and what they feel will make the service easier to use. He can be contacted at [email protected].