Every storm season, the news fills up with yellow, amber and red weather warnings. But what do they actually mean for your household, and when should you do something about them? Here’s a plain-English guide.
The short version
- Yellow: be aware. Some disruption is likely, or worse weather is possible.
- Amber: be prepared. Disruption, travel problems and power cuts are more likely.
- Red: take action now. Dangerous weather is expected and there’s a risk to life.
- Always read the warning text, not just the colour.
How the warnings work
The Met Office issues warnings for rain, wind, snow, ice, thunderstorms, fog, extreme heat and more. The colour isn’t just about how strong the weather will be. It’s based on two things together:
- how much impact the weather could have, and
- how likely that impact is.
That’s why a yellow warning can mean “some low-level disruption is likely”, or “severe weather is possible but not certain”. It’s why the warning text matters.
Yellow: be aware
Yellow warnings are the most common. They mean weather could cause some disruption: slower journeys, localised flooding, or some damage.
What to do:
- Read the warning to see what’s expected, where and when.
- Check your travel plans.
- Keep an eye on updates, because warnings can be upgraded.
Amber: be prepared
Amber means there’s an increased chance of significant impacts. That can include travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts and a possible risk to life and property.
What to do:
- Charge phones and power banks now. See our power bank guide.
- Check your torches, batteries and blackout kit.
- Bring in or tie down garden furniture, bins and trampolines.
- Think about changing travel plans.
- Check on older relatives or neighbours.
Red: take action
Red warnings are rare. They mean dangerous weather is expected and there’s very likely to be a risk to life, with widespread disruption to travel and power, and damage to property.
What to do:
- Follow advice from the emergency services and your local council.
- Avoid travelling unless you absolutely have to.
- Stay indoors, away from windows in high winds.
- Be ready for a long power cut: light, warmth, water and food. See how to stay warm in a power cut.
Named storms
The Met Office names storms together with the weather services in Ireland and the Netherlands, when a storm is expected to bring amber or red warnings. A name is a useful signal to get ready.
Other warnings to know
Met Office warnings are about the weather itself. Other organisations issue related warnings:
- Flood warnings come from the Environment Agency in England, SEPA in Scotland and Natural Resources Wales. In England, Scotland and Wales you can call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
- Heat-health and cold-health alerts come from the UK Health Security Agency, and are about the risk to people’s health.
Where to get warnings fast
- The Met Office app or website, where you can set alerts for your area.
- BBC local radio, which keeps working on a battery radio if the power and mobile data go down.
- Keep Emergency Alerts switched on in your phone settings for the most serious incidents.
3 things to do this week
- Install the Met Office app and set your location.
- Decide what you’ll do when an amber warning is issued: charge, check kit, secure the garden.
- Save 105 (power cuts) and 0345 988 1188 (Floodline) in your phone.
Why weather is the real power cut risk this winter: read our winter power cuts briefing.