It’s a Yellow Day – This Is What The Colour-coded Weather Alerts Mean

Jonathan Crouse December 19, 2025 10:21 am Last Updated on March 9, 2026 12:54 am

Today is the first time I have seen a weather alert other than the traditional red alerts.
Environment Canada launched the colour-coded weather alert system this fall. With this new system, the colours indicate the severity of the weather. Yellow being the lowest level of risk to our well-being, then orange and red indicating the most severe conditions.
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Alert colours

There are 3 types of alert colours and symbols:

Yellow

Hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts
Impacts are moderate, localized and/or short-term
Yellow alerts are the most common

Orange

Severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts
Impacts are major, widespread and/or may last a few days
Orange alerts are uncommon

Red

Red alert symbol: A red band surrounding a solid white triangle. The solid white triangle contains a red exclamation mark inside it.

Very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption
Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged
Red alerts are rare