IMD colour-coded weather warnings
Also called: Green, yellow, orange and red alerts · Topic: Atmosphere: Composition, Structure and Elements of Weather · NCERT: Class 7, Ch 2 "Understanding the Weather"
Meaning
These are the India Meteorological Department's colour-coded alerts, shown on maps and issued district by district. They are impact-based. This means the colour tells people what the weather may do to them and what they should do, not only how much rain or heat to expect.
- Green: no warning
- Yellow: be aware
- Orange: be prepared
- Red: take action
They cover hazards such as heat waves, heavy rain, thunderstorms and cyclones.
Example
IMD's warning map for 19 May 2024 showed a heat wave over north-west India. It showed thunderstorms in Tripura in the north-east and in Lakshadweep in the Arabian Sea.
Don't confuse with
- Weather forecast: a prediction of the weather itself, such as temperature or rainfall. A colour-coded warning tells people how serious the danger is and what to do about it.