Draft:Severe weather terminology (Germany)
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Warning tiers
[edit]The German Weather Service uses a four-tiered system for most of their warnings. The warning tiers are as follows:
Level 1 – Referred to as “official warnings” by the DWD. Decorated in yellow.
Level 2 – Referred to as “official warnings of severe weather” by the DWD. Decorated in orange.
Level 3 – Also referred to as “severe” by the DWD. Decorated in red.
Level 4 – Referred to as “official warnings of extreme severe weather” by the DWD. Decorated in violet.
Other types of alerts
[edit]Watches – Also known as “advance information severe weather”. Decorated in light pink. These alerts are issued in advance of a potentially dangerous weather event when the occurrence, location, timing, and/or severity are not immediately clear.
Heat and UV warnings – These alerts do not follow the four-tiered system used by other DWD warnings. Decorated in various shades of pink and purple.
Warning criteria
[edit]Wind
[edit]Level 1 – Issued for non-thunderstorm wind gusts of at least 50 km/h (31 mph).
Level 2 – Issued for non-thunderstorm wind gusts reaching gale or storm-force.
Level 3 – Issued for non-thunderstorm wind gusts that reach or nearly reach hurricane-force. Specifically, wind gusts exceeding 105 km/h (65 mph).
Level 4 – Issued for “extreme hurricane” force non-thunderstorm wind gusts of at least 140 km/h (87 mph).
Thunderstorms
[edit]Level 1 – Issued for any thunderstorm that produces lightning and/or gusty winds.
Level 2 – Issued for “strong thunderstorms” capable of producing gale or storm-force wind gusts; heavy rain; or hail.
Level 3 – Issued for “severe thunderstorms” capable of producing large hail; very heavy rain; hurricane or near hurricane-force wind gusts; or possible tornadoes.
Level 4 – Issued for “extreme thunderstorms” capable of producing very large hail; extremely heavy rain; “extreme hurricane” force gusts; or tornadoes.