A yellow severe thunderstorm warning in Canada means a severe thunderstorm may cause moderate, localized or short-term impacts. Potential hazards can include strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail and dangerous lightning.
Severe thunderstorm conditions can develop and change quickly. This guide explains what a yellow severe thunderstorm warning means, how serious it is, the potential impacts and what you should do when one is issued.
What Is a Yellow Warning for a Severe Thunderstorm?
A yellow severe thunderstorm warning means severe thunderstorm conditions are expected to cause moderate, localized or short-term impacts. Potential hazards may include strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail and dangerous lightning.
Thunderstorms can develop and change quickly, meaning conditions may become hazardous over a relatively short period of time. The specific impacts depend on the strength, duration and location of the storm.
When a yellow severe thunderstorm warning is issued, people should monitor weather updates, consider moving outdoor activities indoors and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
How Serious Is a Yellow Severe Thunderstorm Warning?
A yellow severe thunderstorm warning can involve hazardous weather capable of causing localized damage and disruptions. Potential hazards may include strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail and dangerous lightning.
Thunderstorms can develop and change quickly, meaning conditions may become dangerous over a short period of time. The seriousness of the warning depends on the strength, duration and location of the storm.
People should monitor current weather information and be prepared to move indoors or take other precautions if conditions become hazardous.
Yellow Severe Thunderstorm Warning vs Orange Severe Thunderstorm Warning
A yellow severe thunderstorm warning indicates the potential for moderate, localized or short-term impacts, while an orange severe thunderstorm warning indicates that significant impacts are likely.
Yellow warnings may involve strong winds, heavy rainfall, hail and localized damage. Orange warnings indicate the potential for more serious or widespread damage and significant disruptions.
Yellow Severe Thunderstorm Warning vs Red Severe Thunderstorm Warning
A yellow severe thunderstorm warning represents the lowest level of potential impact, while a red severe thunderstorm warning represents the highest level in Canada’s colour-coded weather alert system.
Yellow warnings may involve hazardous conditions and localized damage. Red warnings indicate very dangerous conditions and significant, widespread impacts that may include destructive winds, extreme rainfall, large hail and major damage.
Yellow Warning – Severe Thunderstorm FAQs
A yellow severe thunderstorm warning means severe thunderstorm conditions may cause moderate, localized or short-term impacts.
Outdoor activities may be hazardous because severe thunderstorms can produce lightning, strong winds, heavy rainfall and hail. Moving to a safe indoor location may be appropriate.
Yes. Strong winds, hail and heavy rainfall may cause localized property damage, fallen branches and power outages.
Driving may be hazardous because of heavy rainfall, poor visibility, strong winds or hail. Consider delaying travel when severe conditions are occurring.
The duration varies depending on the storm’s movement, development and expected impacts.
Yes. The warning may be upgraded if the expected impacts become more significant or widespread.
