Government of Canada Announces New Weather Alert System

Media Release by Environment and Climate Change Canada:

Canadians rely on timely weather information to plan their day and protect themselves during severe conditions. Environment and Climate Change Canada delivers this vital service, issuing weather alerts around the clock to help people stay informed and safe when it matters most.

Today, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced an important update to its national weather alert program, designed to make weather information clearer for Canadians. A new colour-coded system will make it easier to quickly understand the severity of extreme weather and its expected risk at a glance. This new system is part of the ongoing modernization of our public weather program and aligns with best practices worldwide, including those promoted by the World Meteorological Organization.

Each type of weather alert—Warnings, Advisories, and Watches—now includes a colour, ranging from yellow, to orange, to red to show the seriousness of the weather event:

• Yellow alerts are the most common. They are issued when hazardous weather may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are likely moderate, localized, and/or short-term.
• Orange alerts are less common. They are issued when severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts can be major, widespread, and/or may last a few days.
• Red alerts are rare. They are issued when very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption. Impacts have the potential to be extensive, widespread, and prolonged.

To provide impact-based alerts, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologists will use a new Alert Colour Matrix. They will combine the latest atmospheric data—weather models, real-time observations, and forecast confidence—with new Impact Guides that will help them describe the impact the weather event will have on people, property, and communities.

For the latest forecasts and severe weather alerts, Canadians can visit Canada.ca/Weather or download the WeatherCAN mobile app, which is available for free for Android and iOS devices.

As Canada’s official source for weather forecasts and alerts, Environment and Climate Change Canada is modernizing the public weather program to better serve Canadians. Over the next year, the Department will launch a series of initiatives to improve severe weather alerts, add more context to daily forecasts and expected impacts, and extend the outlook for possible extreme weather, ensuring Canadians have the most accurate weather information when they need it most.