Ireland is currently being blasted by cold weather.
So much so that all of the country is currently under a Status Yellow weather warning, most of Ireland is under an Orange weather warning and a few counties an Amber weather warning, but what do these colours mean?
Here is everything you need to know about the different weather warning alerts and what they mean:
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Met Éireann issues three categories of weather warnings, yellow, orange and red, ahead of any severe weather. Each category is different and as such require different actions, such as preparation before a storm.
In a post on its website, Met Éireann meteorologist Siobhán Ryan explains what each warning category means and what action is warranted for each.
“A status yellow weather alert is given to warn those at risk from certain weather because of their location and/or their activity,” Siobhán explained.
“It advises these people to take preventative action. Expected weather conditions in a status yellow alert do not pose an immediate risk to the general population.
“A status orange weather warning is given before expected weather conditions that could significantly impact people, property and activity in an area. People in the affected areas should prepare appropriately now for the anticipated conditions.
“A status red severe weather warning is rarely issued but when it is, people in the areas expected to be affected should take action to protect themselves and/or their properties.
“These three warning categories are issued whenever certain weather conditions are expected within a 48 hour window. They can be issued at any time of year. Status orange or red, for example, can be given at times of very high temperatures.
“Met Éireann also issues Weather Advisories. These are issued for dangerous weather expected in over 48 hours’ time.”
According to Met Éireann, an Orange warning is referred to as Amber for Northern Ireland as this is the colour coding used by the UK Met Office. So in the UK rather than Yellow, Orange and Red, they use Yellow, Amber and Red.
That is why the Amber warning issued today for three counties in Northern Ireland was not also referred to as an Orange warning, the criteria for which is the same.
Click here for live snow updates from the Irish Mirror.
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