What PAGASA's Yellow, Orange, and Red Rainfall Warnings Mean

(SPOT.ph) In the Philippines, heavy rains, flooding, and typhoons are an unavoidable reality. Storms can hit any time of the year—even the supposedly “dry” season—so us locals are just always on the lookout for dark clouds rolling in. To help the public prepare for potential evacuation, rainfall warnings are issued periodically by PAGASA. But what exactly do they mean?

On average, the Philippines gets battered by 20 typhoons per year, some of them deadly. PAGASA started using color-coded rainfall advisories in 2012 due to fiercer than expected monsoon rain that shut the capital down for days. These warnings were classified into three levels: Yellow, Orange, and Red.

In a nutshell: the darker the color, the more prone to danger and flooding. But if you want to understand these warnings a little better—and what to prepare for each level—we’ve prepared a short guide below.

Also read:
How High Will Temperatures Go? PAGASA Warns Rising Heat by March
PAGASA: Expect Above Normal Rainfall From January to March

Here's what each rainfall warning color means and what you need to do:

Yellow Rainfall Warning

A yellow warning indicates heavy rainfall of around 7.5 to 15mm in an hour, expected to continue for the next two hours.

Flooding is possible in low-lying areas and near rivers. While there may be no flood yet, the public is encouraged to monitor their surroundings and stay updated on warnings issued on PAGASA's Facebook page.

Orange Rainfall Warning

Areas under the orange warning experience intense rainfall of 15 to 30mm in an hour, expected to continue for the next two hours.

There is a threat of flooding in low-lying areas and near rivers. At this time, the public must remain alert and prepare for potential evacuation.

Red Rainfall Warning

The red category is the highest warning, and areas under this warning are experiencing 30m or more of rainfall per hour, expected to continue in the next two hours.

Severe flooding is expected, and the public, especially those in low-lying areas and near rivers, are advised to seek higher ground or evacuate. Flooding of 30mm or more is expected in red rainfall warning areas.

The difference: rainfall warnings vs. wind signals

Note that there are varying advisories released by PAGASA. We don't blame you for being a little confused, but it's important to distinguish between rainfall warnings and wind signals, as they convey different types of weather threats. Knowing how they're different can help you take the appropriate action for each type of weather event. 

Rainfall warnings, as discussed above, indicate the intensity of rainfall and the potential for flooding. On the other hand, wind signals indicate the strength of winds associated with a typhoon or tropical storm, and the potential for wind damage. Wind signals range from number 1 (39 to 61 kilometers per hour) to 5 (185 kilometers per hour or more). 

Also Read: The SPOT.ph Guide to What to Do Before, During, and After a Typhoon