Southern parts of England and Wales have been placed under a yellow weather warning between Thursday evening and Friday morning amid flooding and associated disruption.
Heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning are forecast in some areas, with power cuts predicted in extreme cases.
The UK Environment Agency said there were 27 flood warnings in place, alongside 50 further possible flood instances.
The fresh weather warnings came after an extremely wet few days that included a tornado in Luton, cars submerged, and the suspension of parts of the London Underground.
So what is a yellow weather warning and how does it differ from amber and red? The Standard takes a look.
What is a yellow weather warning?
A yellow weather warning in the UK is issued by the Met Office to alert the public to potentially hazardous weather conditions that could cause “low-level impacts”. While not as severe as amber or red warnings, yellow warnings are still important to pay attention to, as they signify possible risks such as travel disruptions, localised flooding, or challenging driving conditions.
- “Low level impacts”: While these warnings don’t suggest widespread danger, they do signal that some people may experience disruption and should be cautious.
- Weather covered: Yellow warnings can be issued for weather including heavy rain, snow, wind, fog, or thunderstorms.
- Impact on daily life: The Met Office advises that most people can likely continue with their daily routine, but it’s crucial to assess how the weather might affect your local area. Some regions might experience more significant issues, especially in vulnerable areas prone to flooding or where infrastructure is weaker.
- Likelihood of severe impacts: Occasionally, a yellow warning is issued when there’s a potential for severe impacts, but the probability of those occurring is low. This makes it important to monitor the warning closely and stay updated.
The Met Office emphasises that you should always check the content of the yellow warning for specific details on the weather threat and geographical areas affected.
How does a yellow weather warning differ from amber and red?
A yellow weather warning differs from amber and red warnings based on the expected severity and likelihood of the weather’s impact, according to the Met Office.
- Impact: It represents a higher risk and more significant disruption. There is a strong likelihood of travel delays, road and rail closures, power cuts, and a greater chance of property damage. People should be prepared for more widespread issues and take precautions.
- Likelihood: The weather will likely affect many people and cause moderate to severe impacts across wider areas.
- Impact: Signals extreme weather and the potential for serious danger to life. These warnings indicate a high chance of widespread disruption, such as major travel delays, infrastructure damage, and power outages. The Met Office strongly advises people to take action, avoid travel where possible, and protect themselves and their property.
- Likelihood: The weather is expected to cause major impacts for most people in the affected areas, with a high degree of certainty.
