Is NWS facing challenges in sending alerts due to new Twitter restrictions?

Several National Weather Service (NWS) offices across the United States have posted messages saying they can no longer use Twitter to send weather warnings in real-time. They are facing problems due to the social media platform’s newly enforced restrictions.

“The National Weather Service and other organizations responsible for sharing alerts about severe weather events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, fires, etc., have faced challenges in disseminating warnings via Twitter due to newly enforced restrictions,” RAW Alerts, a Twitter-based breaking news handle, said.

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NWS tsunami said that Twitter has limited automated tweets. As a result, they can no longer post warnings, advisories, watches and information statements immediately. However, they are trying to tweet manually.

“We encourage you, as always, to have redundant notification methods for #tsunami alerts: @NOAA weather /all-hazards radio, the free @fema app, 3rd-party & enterprise apps, and others can serve you this way,” NWS tsunami added.

An alert-based handle like NWS has been posting in response to external sources of information. But now, the Elon Musk-led platform has reportedly said that it would limit automated tweets – allowing 1,500 per month with no cost or a $100-a-month fee.

Weather Service officials as per reports said that they expect a 50-automated tweets a day restriction.

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“Twitter is now limiting automated tweets and as a result this account can no longer post all watches/warnings/advisories as they are issued. We will continue to provide general updates, but ensure that you have multiple means for receiving weather information & alerts,” NWS St Louis said in a tweet.

“Heads up to our Twitter followers and followers of neighboring offices: With the potential for severe weather in the region tomorrow and Sunday, this recently announced policy may affect automated graphical content on NWS WFO Twitter accounts,” NWS Chicago warned their followers.