A weather radio adapted to automatically select a preferred channel of operation. A receiver is coupled to a signal quality circuit that outputs signal quality parameters. A controller is coupled to control the frequency of reception of the receiver and is coupled to receive the signal quality parameters. A memory is used to store several signal quality values, and is coupled to the controller. When the controller receives a stimulus, it controls the receiver to sequentially receive all the weather radio frequencies of reception and store a signal quality value for each. The controller subsequently controls the receiver to receive one of the frequencies of operation based upon a comparison of the stored values to select a preferred one of them. The radio is therefore programmed to receive the preferred channel and monitor NOAA Weather Radio transmissions for the local FIPS codes and other weather alert messages.