Yellow, green and red do not only represent colours, but also serve as instruments to measure the intensity and risk associated with meteorological phenomena. Every day, the State Meteorological Agency uses these colours on the map of Spain to indicate the frequency and level of threat that these phenomena may pose to the population. However, what do these colours really represent and what specific phenomena do they refer to?
In this article we are going to tell you What is the meaning of the green, yellow, orange and red AEMET warnings? and that you should keep in mind to stay up to date with all the news about the weather.
4 levels of fins classified by AEMET
The Aemet website describes four alert levels, from green (indicating no risk) to red (indicating extreme risk), which indicate the occurrence of "unusual meteorological phenomena of exceptional intensity" that pose a significant threat to the population.
Within the range of alerts, yellow and orange are present, which They differ mainly in whether there is a risk to the population. A yellow alert means that there is no general risk to the population, although it does indicate potential dangers for certain activities. In contrast, an orange alert denotes a “significant” risk, suggesting a level of danger associated with routine activities.
Meaning of each color
Below, we will detail the meaning of each color depending on the severity of the circumstances:
- Green: total absence of risk, allowing citizens to be calm and worry-free.
- Yellow: This tone means the presence of a threat or danger in a certain area.
- Orange: This alert is rare and indicates that significant damage could affect a segment of the population. Normally, such damage cannot be reversed, but in certain cases there are viable solutions that require a substantial investment of time, money and effort.
- Red: means a serious threat that poses risks to a significant part of the population and may cause significant impacts on life and infrastructure. This alert level is rare and requires intense vigilance to prevent serious repercussions.
What are AEMET alerts for?
The local meteorological system offers various alerts that allow citizens to anticipate meteorological phenomena such as rain, snow, wind, cyclones, tsunamis or sudden changes in temperatureThis information enables people to make informed decisions about their activities, helping to reduce the effects of climate change on their health.
The meteorological service collects data through a series of environmental instruments to issue meteorological alerts, informing the population about possible disasters related to sudden changes in the weather.
For which meteorological phenomena are alerts issued?
Weather alerts cover a range of phenomena, including storms, extreme temperatures, rain, snow, wind, coastal phenomena (both wind and sea), Dust in suspension, avalanches, Cantabrian gales, windstorms in the Balearic Islands, fog, thaws and heat and cold waves, as well as tropical storms. These alerts provide comprehensive information on the provinces or areas that may be affected. If a particular area is not specified, it is understood that the alert applies to the entire province.
Unusual or extraordinary notifications
Occasionally, when certain atmospheric conditions coincide or as a result of the intensity and duration of said conditions, Aemet issues an "extraordinary alert." These alerts are intended to encourage citizens to pay "particular attention to the evolution of the weather."
Each alert is structured according to a predefined format that includes the type of phenomenon, its level of severity, the geographical area, the estimated time of beginning and end, and the probability of occurrence. Ideally, these alerts should be issued twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, although they can also be issued at any time of day depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
Alert on mobile devices
To prepare for meteorological emergencies, Spain has launched the National Alert Network System (RAN-PWS), which allows alerts to be sent quickly and widely to our mobile phones. In addition, at the beginning of January, Civil Protection launched the National Alert Network (RAN) Viewer, a notification map accessible directly from mobile devices.
This web-based viewer, usable on any device, displays current or anticipated alerts over a 24-hour period. It is updated every 5 minutes and provides alerts about earthquakes and severe weather events occurring in Spain.
How the RAN viewer works
To access the RAN Viewer, simply go to the website ran-vmap.proteccioncivil.es, where a map is displayed with all the alerts in Spain, including those issued by AEMET (State Meteorological Agency) as well as alerts related to earthquakes.
Using the controls at the bottom right of the map, you can switch between the Peninsula and the Canary Islands, as well as filter alerts based on their category.
- Weather alerts. Displays the warnings provided by AEMET for the next 24 hours. You can see a summary of the alerts or choose a particular type of event. These include maximum and minimum temperatures, snow or rain accumulation, coastal conditions, strong winds, avalanches, etc.
- Seismic activity. It shows the earthquakes recorded by the IGN (National Geographic Institute) in the last 24 hours, highlighting those of magnitude 3 or higher, along with the tremors experienced.
Just below the map, a legend along with links to AEMET and IGN offers additional information and recommendations. In the case of earthquakes, you can see their magnitude on the Richter scale, while AEMET alerts show the level of risk using a colour code. Red for extreme danger, green for no danger during the intermediate period.
I hope that with this information you can learn more about the meaning of the green, yellow, orange and red AEMET warnings and how to stay informed.