Colour-coded weather warnings

Weather warnings are issued to warn the public of approaching weather conditions that have the potential to be hazardous to life or property.

Met Éireann

recently linked up with international MeteoAlarm network of European national forecasters to align the national weather warning system with a Europe-wide warning system. There are three colour-coded weather warnings in the new system, each indicating the severity of anticipated conditions and the impact they may have.

Status Yellow: Weather alert – be aware.

Yellow alerts are issued to notify those at risk because of their location or their activity. The weather is unlikely to be extreme but care is called for. Damage could include debris such as falling branches.
Wind: mean speeds 50-65km/h.
Gusts: 90-110km/h.
Rain: 30mm-50mm in 24 hrs.

Status

Orange

: Weather warning – be prepared.

Orange weather warnings are issued for weather conditions which have the capacity to have a significant impact on people in the affected areas. Damage could include closed bridges, interruptions to power supply and widespread debris such as slates dislodged from roofs.
Wind: mean speeds 65-80km/h.
Gusts: 110-130km/h.
Rain: 50mm-70mm in 24 hrs.

Status Red: Severe weather warning – take action.

Red weather warnings are rare and imply that recipients take action to protect themselves and/or their properties. This includes moving out of the affected area temporarily, staying indoors or other actions aimed at averting the threat posed by extreme conditions. Damage could be widespread with a risk to personal safety.
Wind: mean speeds in excess of 80km/h.
Gusts: in excess of 130km/h.

Rain: 70mm or greater in 24 hrs.