Weather alerts live – official warnings worldwide on the map

In Germany the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) uses four warning levels: yellow (weather warning), orange (severe weather warning), red (severe weather alert) and violet (extreme severe weather). Internationally many warning systems follow a three-level scheme with yellow, orange and red – the worldwide map shows each country’s national colours.

Yellow signals: it could become dangerous – inform yourself and plan ahead. Orange means: danger to people and property – reduce time outdoors and secure loose items. Red stands for dangerous severe weather with high damage potential. Violet marks exceptional extreme situations – then use the highest caution and follow official guidance.

Important: a yellow warning is not a panic alert, but not a marginal phenomenon either. Many accidents happen because yellow warnings are ignored, even though local effects – such as hillside runoff or storm gusts in thunderstorm fronts – already deserve serious attention. The map helps you see spatially whether your area is affected or only neighboring regions.

Click a marked region to see details on the warning type. Combine the view with the rain radar and thunderstorm radar: warnings say something can happen – radar maps show whether the threat is already developing.

In Germany the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) issues weather warnings in four levels (yellow, orange, red, violet). Typical events are heavy rain with flood risk, severe storm gusts, hail, prolonged rain, ice, snow drifts and extreme heat. The warning refers to districts or warning zones – it does not always match your town exactly.

Especially in summer many warnings arise from convection: individual thunderstorm cells can trigger local heavy rain and storm gusts while a few kilometers away it stays dry. In autumn and winter wind and snow warnings often dominate. The map shows whether you are inside a larger weather pattern or only at the edge of a system.

For travel within Europe each country has its own national weather service. Our worldwide view is especially useful when you cross borders and want to follow warnings in neighboring countries.

Warnings are official assessments based on models, measurements and meteorologists' experience. Radar maps show the current or recently measured state of the atmosphere. Both complement each other: a warning with no visible rain on the radar can mean the severe weather is still 1–3 hours away. Conversely, intense radar reflectivity can occur before a formal warning is issued – rare, but possible with very fast-growing cells.

Practical rule: when uncertain, start with the alerts map. Switch to rain or thunderstorm radar to see direction and intensity. Wind and wind-gust layers show whether storm fronts support the warning. That way you build a situation picture instead of looking at a single color only.

Yellow warning: review outdoor appointments, keep an eye on the weather, inform children and vulnerable people. Orange: secure garden furniture, close windows, postpone trips if possible, know shelter options. Red: avoid being outdoors, check emergency supplies (flashlight, water, medication), follow public guidance from authorities. Violet (DWD extreme warning): seek shelter immediately, follow emergency guidance and warn family members.

Never underestimate the combination of warning and radar map. Heavy rain can flood roads in minutes. Storm gusts hit with little lead time. The map does not replace official information – it only makes it faster to access and easier to grasp spatially.

Using the map time control you can display warnings for different periods – depending on data availability. That helps plan travel, events or harvest work. A warning for tomorrow can disappear today if weather models adjust – so check regularly, do not fix plans once the day before.

For Germany the BBK warning app NINA supplements general hazard situations with push messages. The combination of interactive map and push alerts on your smartphone is a robust foundation – especially at night or on the go.