The Met Office issues weather warnings, through the National Severe Weather Warning Service, when severe weather conditions are likely to impact the UK.

These warnings are assigned a color – yellow, orange or red – based on a combination of the impact the weather conditions may have and the likelihood of those impacts occurring.

Here’s what the colors mean…

Yellow warning

Many of these warnings are issued when it is likely that weather conditions will cause minor impacts, including travel disruptions in a few locations.

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

Other yellow warnings are issued when weather conditions could have much more serious impacts on the majority of people, but the certainty that these impacts will occur is much lower.

Orange warning

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

There is a risk of travel delays, road and rail closures, power outages and potential risks to life and property.

If an area has been placed under an orange warning, then residents should consider changing their plans and taking steps to protect themselves and their property.

Red warning

Hazardous weather conditions are expected and, if you have not already done so, you should take steps now to protect yourself and others from the consequences of this severe weather.

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