The Fidelity National Bank of Pennsylvania has begun a new weather announcement service to the area in cooperation with the United States Weather Bureau Station at the Williamsport-Lycoming County Airport and Radio Station WRAK.

Weather forecasts are available 24 hours a day by dialing 326-9011. The service began on Friday.

The weather bureau relays the latest forecasts to the radio station four times a day at 6:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 5:45 p.m., and 9:15 p.m. via private telewriter line service. These reports are then recorded on equipment at the radio station, which is in turn tied to 18 trunk lines to equipment located in the Williamsport office of Bell Telephone Company.

In the event of rapidly changing weather conditions, which necessitate more frequent updates, the service acts accordingly by more frequent relays so that all times official Environmental Science Services Administration Weather Bureau forecasts are available.

Jack L. Hummel, chief meteorologist of the local weather bureau office, said that the forecasts are the same as those available to the weather bureau office, with the exception of high and low readings. But Mr. Hummel further stated that eventually the local office may discontinue the service, making the bank sponsored the only one available to the community. He estimates calling traffic will be 30,000 to 40,000 calls monthly.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.