SHERMAN, TX - KXII is pleased to announce the release of the new First Alert desktop weather application.

The newer interactive desktop app still allows you to keep up to date with changing weather, news and sports, but the best part about the new one is that it takes up less memory, so your computer won't be slowed down while it's running, which could mean precious seconds that could save your life.

Download the new First Alert free

In Texoma, we know all too well that when it comes to severe weather, things can change fast. Within the past year and a half we've seen two tornadoes, with one in Lone Grove turning deadly.

At KXII, getting this information out to the public as fast and as accurately as possible has always been the goal, so now we've made available a new free First Alert desktop application that's faster and has new features.

KXII Meteorologist Megan was one of many on staff on the night of February 10, 2009, the night an E-F tornado hit Lone Grove. Krannig says the new and improved tool helps users stay ahead of the storm.

"I''m very impressed with this tool that you can put on your computer. Not only does it pop up watches and warnings. it tells you what kind of sever weather you can expect and how long it will potentially last," Krannig says.

KXII web content supervisor Matt Griffin says there's one noticeable performance difference between the old version of First Alert and the new one.

"With the new First Alert, it's not going to bog down your system. It runs in the background and serves its purpose," Griffin says.

Griffin also says users won't have to worry about adware or spyware from the new First Alert, and adds downloading the new version is quick and easy.

New features on First Alert include viewing a radar that not only covers Texoma, but the entire continental United States. There are also sites across Texoma where with the click of a mouse you can find out what the weather is going to be like hour-by-hour over the next 48 hours.

KXII General Manager Rick Dean says the unveiling of the new product is another way KXII is taking the lead when it comes to keeping Texoma informed.

"We're in the process of upgrading our products to the consumer, and the objective across the board is to make it better," Dean says.

Important to note is that if you still have the old version of First Alert, it will no longer work, so to keep First Alert on your desktop, you have uninstall the old version then install the new one. To make that easier for you we have how-to videos that will be posted later today at the links above.

Download the new First Alert here

HOW TO UNINSTALL OLD FIRST ALERT

1. Click 'Start'
2. Mouse over "All Programs"
3. Locate "First Alert"
4. Click "Uninstall First Alert"

-or-

1. Click 'Start'
2. Go to 'Control Panel'
3. Click "Add or Remove Programs" and wait for the list to populate
4. Locate First Alert
5. Click 'Change or Remove'
6. Follow the instructions that follow

NOTE: The old version of First Alert is no longer available.