New Met Éireann system to update guidelines for colour-coded weather warnings

A new Met Éireann system will provide updated guidelines for colour-coded weather warnings

Met Éireann is planning a new weather warning system which will take account of higher wind speeds and rising temperatures in a warming climate, as well as specific, concrete examples of what people can expect to happen based on its colour-coded alert system.

The meteorology service has come in for criticism over its yellow, orange, and red warning system, with some members of the public suggesting alerts were unnecessary, while at other times, people claimed they were not given sufficient warning of potential damage.

A revised warning system, a copy of which was released under FOI by Met Éireann, details how wind speeds will now be increased by around 5 kilometres per hour (kph) before a yellow warning will be issued.

Where previously, ten minutes of gusts between 50 and 65 kph would be enough to trigger a yellow warning, that will be reset at between 55 and 65 kph to help avoid the risk of unnecessary alerts.

There have also been changes made to what will trigger a warning about low temperatures. Up to now, an alert would be issued if it was expected to drop to minus three degrees Celsius; however, that has been revised slightly upwards to minus two degrees according to the draft plan.

Similar changes were made for more severe orange and red warnings for low temperatures, with new limits being set based on the impact of the climate crisis on Ireland.

Met Éireann said a further review of rainfall thresholds was also being examined but would not form part of the new alert system, which is to be published in the first quarter of this year.

The biggest change to the system is more detailed explanations of what can be expected from each warning, with input from agencies like the ESB sought.

For a red wind warning with winds consistently above 80kph, damage to buildings, fallen trees, treacherous travelling conditions and danger to life were all considered potential impacts.

In severe snow, people could expect unsafe outdoor working conditions, danger to life, cancelled transport services and outdoor events, severe damage to crops and the potential for supplies to run short.

The impacts expected from a high temperature red warning would include severe drought, higher risk of forest fires, difficult sleeping conditions and increased presentations at emergency rooms from those suffering the effects of heat.

In internal discussions, Met Éireann staff said they needed to ensure any revised warning system was as straightforward as possible for the public.

One said it seemed unhelpful to include both a “gust” and “mean wind” speed. An email said: “Considering from the public point of view it is the same hazard.”

Preparations were also needed to make forecasters aware of details of the new system as well as updating all Met Éireann products, their websites and other official information sources.

Another email explained how extensive consultation had taken place with principal response agencies including key public bodies, transport providers and those tasked with work or repair following a serious weather event.

This message said they would also need “a re-wording of the warning explanation text to indicate that the numerical thresholds are and will be used as a ‘guideline only’ and that warnings issued will be dictated by the expected level of impact.”

Asked about the records, a spokeswoman for Met Éireann said the 2023 review had been intended to ensure the warning system was “reflective of the weather we experience in the context of changing climate” and was based on analysis of their climatological database.

She said: “The updated warnings guidelines will now also include the ‘Potential Impacts’ associated with each hazard and colour code.

“This is in line with best practice, as outlined by the World Meteorological Organisation. It is hoped that these updates will go-live in Q1 of 2024.”

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