Classic Rotary Phones Forum

Telephone Switching => General Switching Discussions => General CO Talk => Topic started by: bingster on July 16, 2009, 04:44:57 PM

Title: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: bingster on July 16, 2009, 04:44:57 PM
Jsowers mentioned time and weather in another post, along with a number for local weather, and that got me wondering... What are YOUR local numbers for time and weather?

Here around DC, the number for time is 202 TIme 4-1212, and the number for weather is 202 WEather 6-1212.
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: Phonesrfun on July 16, 2009, 05:18:43 PM
It's 2:09 and 98 degrees in Walla Walla, WA. 

We don't have a time and temp phone number so we have to do it the old fashioned way and go outside. 

Either that or I use my RF remote thermometer.  And if that's not enough I work for a bank that has a time and temp sign on the corner of the building that always reads too hot in the summer.

About a year ago, ne of the switcher-guys on C-net had set up an 800 number that you could call into that would use the caller ID of your area code and prefix and then go out to the national weather service and give you your local time and temp.  It worked pretty well, for the most part. 

-Bill
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: Phonesrfun on July 16, 2009, 05:23:00 PM
PS:  Years ago when I grew up in Portland, OR, time was 229-1212 (oficially), but you could dial 229 and any 4 numbers.   No weather number,  we had to go outside to see the weather.

I am now coming to the understanding of how they used digit absorbing step switches to do the any four number routine.

-Bill
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: bingster on July 16, 2009, 05:25:50 PM
Quote from: Phonesrfun on July 16, 2009, 05:23:00 PM
PS:  Years ago when I grew up in Portland, OR, time was 229-1212 (oficially), but you could dial 229 and any 4 numbers. 
Yes, that's the way the two DC numbers are, too.  Any four numbers will do.  I always found that interesting.
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: HobieSport on July 16, 2009, 05:55:26 PM
In Calif. we used to just use "POP-CORN" for the time: 767-2676. I don't know when that service was discontinued. Nowadays I don't even know our time and weather phone numbers, because I always use the computer clock and Weather channel. I guess I should learn the phone numbers though, in case of a blackout.
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: McHeath on July 16, 2009, 07:31:03 PM
Seems like our California time/temp service was shut down a year or two ago, I recall reading something about it in the paper.
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: jsowers on July 17, 2009, 09:27:19 AM
Here's mine, as mentioned earlier by Bingster. And CHestnut is the actual exchange here, though references to it went away by the mid-1960s except in a few funeral home ads and other businesses slow to change, and then it was a simple CH6 or CH3 and not spelled out.

http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1254.msg16179#msg16179 (http://www.classicrotaryphones.com/forum/index.php?topic=1254.msg16179#msg16179)
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: rp2813 on July 23, 2009, 03:43:14 PM
I was still working for the Phone Company when they discontinued the Time of Day service here in California.  It was back in September of 2007.  The reason cited was that the equipment was way old and a maintenance nightmare.  I don't buy it.  The telcos have to have a way to measure call length and it shouldn't be rocket science to provide the time of day with modern technology.

The official number, I believe statewide and across telco territories, was ROchester 7-8900, but as stated above, you could dial 767 plus any other 4 digits, or just depress the switch hook 4 times and you'd get the Time Lady.  POPCORN was the way most people referred to calling for the time of day.

Verizon had already stopped maintaining their service well before it was discontinued.  I'd call POPCORN just to try out a phone I'd been working on, and the recording would advise me something like, "At the tone, Verizon time will be Nine Forty Three, and 84 seconds."  Alrighty then.

So Verizon was already starting to wean subscribers off of Time of Day service when they had barely begun the process of petitioning the California PUC to discontinue it.

Interestingly, I found out when I moved out of Verizon territory last year and into AT&T's that I couldn't put a recording on my Verizon number that would provide my new AT&T number.  It turns out that long ago when GTE bought up the various mom & pop telcos in this area, they inherited a contract with AT&T for that number referral service.  Verizon never developed one of their own.  The contract expired and AT&T wasn't inclined to renew it, so all Verizon subscribers in my area lost this option.  I complained to the PUC and was advised that this wasn't a mandatory service and that there was nothing they could do.  Needless to say, it left me with a very sour attitude toward Verizon, something many people shared due to their sub-par service over the years.  By the mid 90's, in my opinion Verizon's service left little room for complaint, but that all changed when I disconnected with them a year ago this month. 

Ralph
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: JimH on July 23, 2009, 04:32:34 PM
Here in the Oakland County area north of Detroit, it used to be 333-6022, which is a Pontiac number of the old "FEderal" exchange.  I used to call it often to try out phones.
It was discontinued about five years ago.  Weather was simply WEA-THER.
Title: Re: What's the time and temp?
Post by: rp2813 on July 24, 2009, 03:01:24 PM
Here in the SF Bay Area, calling the weather was a toll call from anywhere but the local San Francisco exchanges.  So that number was off limits for most people.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Dave203 on August 25, 2013, 12:06:26 AM
In Connecticut on the old Snet lines you could dial 511 and hear time and temp and an advertisement. The number that 511 forwards to is (860) 524-8123 and can be called from anywhere and still works today  ;)

Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: twocvbloke on August 25, 2013, 01:21:55 AM
From most landline phones, it's 123 to call the Speaking Clock (or "Timeline" as it's officially called), for the weather we just turn the telly on and wait for the news...  :D
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: dsk on August 25, 2013, 04:08:18 AM
The Norwegian telephone clock "died" at 14:00 January 15 2007. 

I don't know when the weather telephone disappeared, but we have 3 numbers with manual service:
+47

Oslo      -  tlf 820-90001
Bergen  - tlf 820-90002
Tromsø - tlf 820-90003

Nok 26,- per minute. ( $4.32)

dsk

Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: tptech302 on August 25, 2013, 10:50:57 AM
Around my area of South Central PA, the telephone companies Time and Temp was taken over by a car dealership some time ago. It use to be sponsored by local businesses before that.

The number is 717-263-5252
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Mr. Bones on August 25, 2013, 12:13:19 PM
     Here in Lawrence, KS, it has been VIking (84) 2- 5115 since I moved here in 1972. Back then, you could dial any of the (then) existing prefixes 841, 842, 843-5115, and reach Time and Temperature.

     The area code, for many years, was 913...later, we got changed to 785.

     In 1972, it was sponsored by First National Bank. They have changed hands many times in the ensuing 41 + years, but the T&T still remains, thankfully.

Best regards!
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: JmaJeremy on July 15, 2014, 11:22:43 PM
In Canada we have an official talking clock service:
(613) 745-1576 (English)
(613) 745-9426 (French)
It is a long distance call for anyone outside Greater Ottawa.

Environment Canada provides a local number for weather info in most parts of Canada.
(514) 283-3010 in my native Montreal, for instance.
Unfortunately, the latter requires a touch tone phone to get to weather info, so it's no fun as a test number with rotary phones :P
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: WesternElectricBen on July 15, 2014, 11:23:20 PM
In the Twin Cities I use 763-512-1111.

Ben
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: poplar1 on July 16, 2014, 12:36:11 AM
Atlanta, GA---770 455-7141
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Greg G. on July 18, 2014, 12:15:13 AM
http://www.phworld.org/sounds/modern/timetemp/


Only gives the weather for Seattle, and then, too many choices:  206-526-8530.


Reminds me of a story I heard once.  A guy was traveling through the midwest and listening to the news on his car radio.  He was tuned in to a local radio station when the weatherman announced "Snow today, can't tell you how much, hasn't stopped yet!"
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: WesternElectricBen on July 18, 2014, 12:47:37 AM
I don't get it, Brinny. Was their suppose to be a punch line?

Ben
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Adam on July 18, 2014, 02:17:20 PM
That's sort of like asking the pilot of a plane "Where are we?" By the time he answers, you're not there anymore.

:)
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Greg G. on July 18, 2014, 02:19:40 PM
Quote from: WesternElectricBen on July 18, 2014, 12:47:37 AM
I don't get it, Brinny. Was their suppose to be a punch line?

Ben


The punch line is that the weatherman was just looking out the window for the weather info, contrasted with meteorologists with their doppler radars, 7-day forecasts and all that high-tech stuff that would have predicted how many inches of snow.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Babybearjs on July 25, 2014, 01:43:14 AM
so, they killed our POP-CORN.... so that's what happened to it... maintainance nightmare my foot.... they just didn't want the equipment. this saddens me because I grew up in the SF bay area and always called the time of day... you would think they would have upgraded the system when they went digital... all the phone companies have destroyed they're labor force and forced tons of techs to work to death.... literally! anyway, its sad that the time of day is gone.....
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: JmaJeremy on July 29, 2014, 06:56:30 PM
Quote from: Babybearjs on July 25, 2014, 01:43:14 AM
so, they killed our POP-CORN.... so that's what happened to it... maintainance nightmare my foot.... they just didn't want the equipment. this saddens me because I grew up in the SF bay area and always called the time of day... you would think they would have upgraded the system when they went digital... all the phone companies have destroyed they're labor force and forced tons of techs to work to death.... literally! anyway, its sad that the time of day is gone.....
People are very quick to label things as "obsolete" and just end it without considering the consequences. The reality is, the talking clock is still useful...I often use both the telephone and shortwave radio versions to set my clocks, especially after (or during) a power failure among other occasions...it would be a shame not to have it.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Babybearjs on July 29, 2014, 11:47:19 PM
the one thing that I know is that the UTC in Boulder Colorado is still running.... but you need a SW to hear it... I think there is a web link with audio but I'm not sure....
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: LM Ericsson on September 20, 2014, 12:31:37 AM
Ours has been decommissioned for awhile.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Adam on September 20, 2014, 09:42:43 AM
Quote from: Babybearjs on July 29, 2014, 11:47:19 PM
UTC in Boulder Colorado is still running.... but you need a SW to hear it... I think there is a web link with audio but I'm not sure....

You're speaking about radio station WWV, and no, although I've been wishing for it for as long as there's been an internet, there is NO streaming audio of WWV.

You can hear them on the telephone, though, but it cuts off after 2 minutes.  The number to listen to WWV is:

1303-499-7111

For more info about WWV, here is their web site:

http://www.nist.gov/pml/div688/grp40/wwv.cfm (http://www.nist.gov/pml/div688/grp40/wwv.cfm)
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: bellsystem on July 19, 2017, 02:21:17 PM
1 (763) 512-1111 is a popular nationwide Temperature number is.

It provides local weather for the Twin Cities, but if you wait for the recorded message, then dial (using a DTMF keypad) 1, then 2, then your ZIP code, you can get weather for your area.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: AL_as_needed on July 19, 2017, 09:35:01 PM
Quote from: bellsystem on July 19, 2017, 02:21:17 PM
1 (763) 512-1111 is a popular nationwide Temperature number is.

It provides local weather for the Twin Cities, but if you wait for the recorded message, then dial (using a DTMF keypad) 1, then 2, then your ZIP code, you can get weather for your area.

I will have to try this out here in NY.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Pourme on July 20, 2017, 07:04:00 AM
I realize it's a older but, interesting thread...

In Hickory, NC the time & temp # has a sponsor and is still active at 828-324-1234....
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Fabius on July 20, 2017, 08:25:43 PM
South Bend, Indiana

(574) 234-7121
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: mariepr on July 27, 2017, 12:56:15 AM
In Philadelphia is used to be TI6-1212 and WE6-1212 for time and weather, "The Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania bring you..."   I think it died a couple of years after the breakup of AT&T when these recordings were ruled "Enhanced Information Services" and thus the phone company was not allowed to provide them.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: kb3pxr on February 09, 2018, 05:54:46 PM
In My area there are three numbers:

717-263-5252 - This is sponsored by a local auto dealership and was already mentioned. Provides time and Weather
717-263-1100 - Same as above, different number.
301-797-9797 - This one is long distance and is hosted by a local radio station and sponsorship varies (the station fills in with their own ad on days without other sponsors). This provides weather only.

I have my own VoIP PBX and I can get the speaking clock by dialing *60 (I need to re-add the config for 1160 for rotary dials).

Don't forget a lot of information is available from 24/7 at 1-408-752-8052 (was 1-800-555-TELL).
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Butch Harlow on February 09, 2018, 06:49:56 PM
Here in Richmond it used to be TIGER-22, but that's long gone. Now, I just call the US Naval observatory Atomic clock. That number is 1-202-762-1041.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Pourme on February 09, 2018, 07:41:41 PM
Quote from: Butch Harlow on February 09, 2018, 06:49:56 PM
Here in Richmond it used to be TIGER-22, but that's long gone. Now, I just call the US Naval observatory Atomic clock. That number is 1-202-762-1041.

I get silence from the 202 number
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Butch Harlow on February 09, 2018, 08:05:14 PM
Quote from: Pourme on February 09, 2018, 07:41:41 PM
I get silence from the 202 number

Sorry, it's 202 762-1401 or 202 762-1069
However, when I call from my cellphone it does not answer, when I call from my Comcast VOIP line it answers immediately.

The Colorado number is 719 567-6742

All 3 worked perfect when I dialed from my 3 slot payphone in the kitchen, none answered from my cell. Odd.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: TelePlay on February 09, 2018, 09:05:15 PM
Quote from: Butch Harlow on February 09, 2018, 08:05:14 PM
Sorry, it's 202 762-1401 or 202 762-1069
However, when I call from my cellphone it does not answer, when I call from my Comcast VOIP line it answers immediately.

The Colorado number is 719 567-6742

All 3 worked perfect when I dialed from my 3 slot payphone in the kitchen, none answered from my cell. Odd.

All 3 numbers worked with my cell phone. I have USCellular as my carrier, a major minor player in the PCS phone business (had them since 1990, the dawn of large scale commercial service).

All three number answered with the tick tick of a clock, then a voice saying "from the US Naval Observatory the time is . . . "  No weather, just the universal time clock.

Who is your carrier?
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Butch Harlow on February 09, 2018, 11:24:39 PM
Quote from: TelePlay on February 09, 2018, 09:05:15 PM
All 3 numbers worked with my cell phone. I have USCellular as my carrier, a major minor player in the PCS phone business (had them since 1990, the dawn of large scale commercial service).

All three number answered with the tick tick of a clock, then a voice saying "from the US Naval Observatory the time is . . . "  No weather, just the universal time clock.

Who is your carrier?

For cell service, Verizon. I almost wish I had them for cable service, then at least I would have pulse service on my VOIP.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: dsk on February 10, 2018, 03:37:30 AM
In Norway most of these numbers are gone, but we do still have a weather forecast  at  820 90 001 this cost lots, and you get personal service.  Time and temp is not available unless you use internet, or listen to the DAB-radio. FM and AM is shut down! :-(
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: MADhouseTelephone on April 01, 2018, 12:18:06 AM
I currently have a 1965 Audichron Time and Temperature machine from NC hooked up to my AE step switch. It can be reached on C*NET by dialing 1-624-2257
This machine will be moving to a new home later this year and will be replaced by a machine from GTE in Texas that I am rebuilding.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Jim Stettler on April 01, 2018, 10:59:18 AM
It used to be 635-TIME . I haven't tried for a long time.
Colorado Springs, CO
Jim S.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Jim Stettler on April 01, 2018, 11:08:35 AM
I just tried it. " the phone number is no longer in service"
Jim S.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: dsk on April 01, 2018, 11:50:11 AM
The time service died here in Norway Jan 15 2007, the weather telephone is a service you still may use as a 820 number charging slightly less than $1 pr minute.  You may dial (dtmf) your zip code, and get it pretty local.

dsk
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Haf on April 02, 2018, 06:18:56 PM
Official number for time here in Germany is 0049 (0)180 4100100, German Telekom, 0.20 € per call. There is another number I believe from an to me unknown collector using an old time machine:  0049 (0)40 428990 a toll free regular number area code of Hamburg.
Weather: Wetterdiensthotline: 0180 2 913 913*
* (Festnetzpreis 6ct/Anruf, Mobilfunkpreise maximal 42 ct/min innerhalb Deutschlands)

Haf
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: kb3pxr on April 03, 2018, 02:32:20 PM
I remember reading that the local telephone company will provide you the time of day for an significant charge (more than 50 cents) by asking the operator as well.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Payphone installer on April 03, 2018, 09:58:10 PM
Cincinnati Bell Telephone time 5137211700
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: andy1702 on April 04, 2018, 12:40:02 PM
Quote from: twocvbloke on August 25, 2013, 01:21:55 AM
From most landline phones, it's 123 to call the Speaking Clock (or "Timeline" as it's officially called), for the weather we just turn the telly on and wait for the news...  :D

The time used to be on 8081. For the weather, well we're in England so we just know it's raining anyway!
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: HarrySmith on April 04, 2018, 02:58:51 PM
I have found the best way to get the current weather is to look out the window!
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: Vacuumlad1650 on April 22, 2018, 11:28:31 PM
I live in the Chicago Suburbs...Central Time Zone. I call Time and Temp in Hammond Indiana, 219-933-9000. Its an hour off, but it still works.
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: F. J. on June 13, 2019, 03:17:37 PM
I know of two time-temperature numbers in Mississippi (both are area code 601):

Jackson      FLeetwood 5-9311
Hattiesburg  KIngswood 5-2841
*

For the Jackson number, it greets you with an advertisement (lately, it's been for an answering service) followed by, "Hold for time and temp., or press '9'.  The temperature is [temperature] and [rising/falling] on the [date], at [hour]:[minute].  This service is spread by word of mouth.  I love to get calls.  Please tell a friend to call me today.  Forecast for today is . . ."  At the conclusion of the forecast, you'll hear "For weather, press '1' now; for time to the second, press '0'."  Dialling '0' yields, "The temperature is [temperature] and [rising/falling] on the [date].  At the tone, the time will be [hour]:[minute] and [number] seconds . . . . . . . . . . . . BEEP."

The Hattiesburg number is quite a bit less functional.  You're greeted with an advertisement for one of BancorpSouth's banking services, then "The temperature is [temperature] and [rising/falling] on the [date], at [hour]:[minute].  Forecast for today is . . ."  After the forecast, you'll hear, "Thank you for calling.  Good-bye."  and it hangs up on you.  There is no option to hear it again or to hear time to the second.

Personally, I much prefer the Jackson number.  I only call the Hattiesburg number when I'm in south Mississippi, and even then I only call it for the weather and temperature, then call the Jackson number for the time.  The time-to-the-second feature is eminently useful for setting watches and clocks.  I wear vintage timepieces and love to set them by the telephone the way people would have done when they were new.  Also, my mobile 'phone only has the hours and minutes on its clock, no seconds, so I still call the time-temp. number from my mobile 'phone when I'm out and about and notice I need to set my watch because I forgot to wind it, for instance.   

When I explain time-temp. numbers to people who don't know what they are, I tell them that it tells you the time, temperature, and maybe the weather, and it's how people used to set their clocks and watches before the internet and smartphones.  I tell them "It'll say, 'When you hear the tone, it will be exactly six forty-five and one quarter,'" which is actually a line from a 1943 Daffy Duck cartoon called Daffy – The Commando (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ngETXxI5pg&ab_channel=CCCartoons).


* (FLeetwood is one of Jackson's historical exchanges, but I don't know the name for Hattiesburg's 54 exchange (58 is JUniper), so I just picked a name off the list (http://www.ourwebhome.com/TENP/MaBell.pdf).)
Title: Re: What's the Time and Temperature Phone Number in your Area ?
Post by: rcourtney on March 15, 2020, 03:53:53 PM
For decades was an Audichron drum with time/temp  sponsored by Merchants National Bank  319-366-7212
Then Gentle Dental.  It died Dec 2019.

Recently was restarted no sponsor and different hardware.

We currenty have KMRY 319-393-0500

Also an asterisk and telephone collector with old time ads:  319-535-8463 Telephone Collectors (.org) Time airport weather info