The Met Office issues weather warnings, through the National Severe Weather Warning Service, when severe weather has the potential to bring impacts to the UK.

These warnings are given a colour – yellow, amber or red – depending on a combination of both the impact the weather may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring.

Here is what the colours mean…

Yellow warning

Many of these warnings are issued when it is likely that the weather will cause some low level impacts, including some disruption to travel in a few places. 

Many people will be able to continue with their daily routine, but there will be some that will be directly impacted.

Other yellow warnings are issued when the weather could bring much more severe impacts to the majority of people but the certainty of those impacts occurring is much lower. 

Amber warning

This means there is an increased likelihood of impacts from severe weather, which could potentially disrupt your plans. 

There is the possibility of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and the potential risk to life and property.

If an area has been put under an amber warning, then residents there should think about changing their plans and taking action to protect themselves and their property. 

Red warning

Dangerous weather is expected and, if you haven’t already done so, you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the severe weather. 

It is very likely that there will be a risk to life, with substantial disruption to travel, energy supplies and possibly widespread damage to property and infrastructure.