During an emergency, the Australian Warning System (AWS) can help you quickly understand the level of risk in an emergency.
It's used for all types of emergencies by state emergency services and local councils across Australia.
The AWS has three levels of warnings that are colour coded. They are:
- Advice (yellow) — There is a hazard in your area. There is no immediate danger. Stay informed, the situation could change.
- Watch and Act (orange) — There is a threat to lives and properties. Conditions are changing. Take action to protect yourself and your family.
- Emergency Warning (red) — This is the highest warning level. You are in danger. Take action immediately. Any delay will put your life at risk.
Read the definitions of some common terms you'll come across in the different types of warnings.
What you should do
Each warning has an instruction that tells you what you should do.
For example, an Advice warning may ask you to "Stay Informed", while an Emergency warning may ask for immediate action like "Leave Now".
Each incident may have multiple warning levels and instructions depending on where you are.
For example, some people close to a bushfire may have an Emergency Warning with the instructions to "Seek shelter", whilst others in the same town but further from the bushfire may have a Watch and Act warning with the instructions to "Prepare to Leave".
The instructions will change depending on the threat to lives and homes and the type of emergency.
Loading...When will I see these warnings?
The AWS is used for all types of emergencies. You may see these warnings when there's a fire, flood, dangerous storm or other severe weather in your area.
Learn more about emergency services where you are in Australia. You can also find up-to-date information on the ABC's emergency warnings map.
Bureau of Meteorology warnings
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issues information and warnings about weather events that could cause harm.
State emergency agencies, like fire agencies and the SES, and local councils use the information from the BOM warnings to inform when they need to issue the colour-coded Australian Warning System warnings.
In a real life event, it might look something like:
- 1.The BOM issues a severe weather warning and an alert for major flooding of a river.
- 2.As a result the state emergency agency may issue a Watch and Act (orange) alert for the area that's expected to experience flooding.
Here are the different types of warnings the BOM can issue:
Fire weather — The BOM will issue a fire weather warning if the weather is likely to make bushfire conditions dangerous. State fire agencies will use this information to plan and warn communities, this includes issuing fire bans.
Flood — Alerts to flooding in a particular river or creek. Flooding is broken into three warning categories:
- Minor
- Moderate
- Major
You may see river levels mentioned and comparison to previous big flood events.
Storm and Severe Weather — You may see different storm and severe weather alerts issued by the BOM. Sometimes there will be a broader alert for a wider area, followed by a detailed severe thunderstorm warning that gives more information about exactly where a dangerous storm is. The different warnings you may see in order of urgency are:
- Severe weather warning
- Severe thunderstorm warning
- Detailed severe thunderstorm warning
- Dangerous or very dangerous thunderstorm warning
Cyclones — Tropical cyclone warnings are issued when a cyclone is expected to produce winds of more than 90km/h over land. Cyclones are broken down into five category levels depending on wind strength. A category one cyclone has destructive winds with damages to houses likely to be minor, whilst a category five cyclone is extremely dangerous with widespread destruction expected.
Heatwave — A heatwave is when the temperature is much hotter than usual for three or more consecutive days. A heatwave will depend not just on how hot it is during the day but also how cool it gets at night. The BOM uses the excess heat factor or EHF to classify heatwaves by intensity.
In very basic terms the EHF measures how much of a shock to the body the forecast temperatures will be, compared to the weather over the past month. There are three types of warnings:
- Low-intensity Heatwave (yellow)
- Severe Heatwave (orange)
- Extreme Heatwave (red)
Earthquakes — Geoscience Australia monitors for earthquakes and provides data on strength or magnitude, location, depth and records “felt” reports from members of the public to gauge how widespread an earthquake in Australia may have been felt.
Depending on depth and the epicentre location, earthquakes with a magnitude above 5 can cause damage to buildings, and above 6 are more likely to cause serious impacts.
While Geoscience Australia provides this data, state and territory emergency services are responsible for issuing warnings after an earthquake. These warnings will be at advice, watch and act or emergency level and will also give information on what people should do in the aftermath of a damaging quake, this may include evacuation information or if power, roads and other infrastructure has been damaged.
Earthquakes often happen with little or no warning, you can read more on planning for potential earthquakes here
Tsunamis — While tsunamis are rare in Australia, they can happen and are most likely after a large earthquake in the Pacific region.
After an earthquake, the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) run by the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia will issue information to the media and public, including a ‘No Threat’ bulletin if there is no danger.
- A Tsunami Watch will be issued if there is possible Tsunami threat so people know to standby for more updates.
- A Tsunami Warning Marine Threat will cover threats to low lying coastal areas and those who may be impacted by dangerous waves, strong rips or currents
- A Tsunami Warning Land Threat is the most serious and will be issued when there is a confirmed flooding threat for low lying coastal regions as well as dangerous waves, rips and currents.
When there is no longer a threat the JATWC will issue a Cancellation advice
IN addition to this information the various State agencies will issue AWS warnings at Advice or Emergency level with recommended actions.
Glossary of emergency terms
A
Annual Exceedence Probability (AEP) — A 10 per cent AEP is a one-in-10 chance of rain this heavy happening during a certain time period, in a given year. The Bureau of Meteorology has a different AEP for each place in the country e.g. Melbourne vs Cairns and the AEPs are based on how much rain the BOM has seen fall in each place since we’ve had weather stations and records. A 2 per cent AEP indicates a one-in-50 chance, while a 10 per cent AEP indicates a one-in-10 chance. The Bureau of Meteorology uses this to determine the severity of rain and flood events.
Australian Fire Danger Rating System — The Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS) uses four levels to tell you how dangerous a fire could be if one starts in your area. The AFDRS is the same wherever you are in Australia, and it can help you understand how dangerous the weather conditions are, the level of threat to your safety and what you need to do to stay safe.
Australian Warning System — A nationally consistent set of standards for emergency warnings used in every state and territory.
Amber alert — An amber alert is issued by police asking for public assistance to locate a child in either a child abduction or high-risk missing child case. It is part of the ABC's responsibilities to broadcast these alerts immediately.
B
Back burning — A technique used when a bushfire is already alight. Firefighters use small fires to create a space between the bushfire and unburnt land.
Bushfire plan — A plan for what you will do if a bushfire is in your area. A plan helps you to think clearly in a time of stress. Find out more about bushfire planning.
C
Cyclone — A large mass of potentially destructive winds that circle around a low pressure centre.
Cyclone — Tropical cyclone advice — Tropical cyclone advice warnings are issued when a cyclone is likely to cause winds in excess of 62 km/h over Australian land within the next 48 hours.
Cyclone — Tropical cyclone categories — Tropical cyclones are graded in categories from one to five. A category one cyclone may produce damaging winds with negligible house damage, while a category five cyclone is extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.
Cyclone — Tropical cyclone watch — The onset of gales is expected within 48 hours but not within 24 hours.
E
Earthquake — An earthquake is an intense shaking of the Earth's surface. Earthquake tremors are measured by Geoscience Australia.
Earthquake magnitude — The severity of an earthquake is measured by its magnitude. Anything less than 5.4 is likely to cause minimal damage, whilst anything measuring 6.2 or greater may cause major damage.
East Coast Low — An intense low-pressure system that can cause destructive winds, torrential rainfall and rough seas along the east coast of Australia.
El Niño — A natural weather cycle associated with warmer ocean temperatures in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean. El Nino affects global weather patterns and means hotter conditions in the southern half of Australia and drier conditions in the eastern and northern parts of the country.
Ember attack — When the wind carries small pieces of burning material, like leaves, ahead of the fire which can ignite new fires.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone — The name given when a tropical cyclone weakens. An ex-tropical cyclone is a low pressure system that brings with it rain, wind and storms.
F
Fire danger ratings — These give you an indication of what could happen if a fire was to start. There are four levels; moderate (green), high (yellow), extreme (orange) and catastrophic (red). You should use these ratings to help you decide when you will enact your Bushfire Survival Plan. Read more about the Australian Fire Danger Ratings system.
Fire Ban — or Total Fire Ban, depending on your state. These bans are issued by the state fire agency when weather conditions are dangerous and the fire danger rating is extreme or catastrophic. You must not light a fire outside or do any hot works like welding or grinding.
Flash flooding — Caused by heavy rain in a short period of time, you might see flash flooding mentioned within a storm warning. This is an issue for many urban areas where stormwater drains are unable to cope.
Flooding — Minor — Low-lying areas next to water are inundated which may require the removal of stock animals and farm equipment. Minor roads may be closed and low-level bridges submerged. There may be an associated AWS warning.
Flooding — Moderate — The area of inundation is bigger and the evacuation of some houses may be required. Main traffic routes may be affected. In rural areas removal of stock is required. There may be an associated AWS warning.
Flooding — Major — Extensive rural areas and/or urban areas are inundated. Properties and towns are likely to be isolated and major traffic routes likely to be closed. Evacuation of people from flood-affected areas may be required. There will be an associated AWS warning.
G
Grass fire — Grass fires can start easily and while they are usually less intense than bushfires and don't produce embers, they do create a lot of radiant heat and burn and spread faster than bushfires.
H
Hail — giant and large — As described by the Bureau of Meteorology, large hail is 2cm in diameter or more; giant hail is 5cm or more in diameter.
Harvest ban — Ban on harvesting, driving across paddocks and the use of heat-creating equipment due to the fire threat from sparks. Issued by local government in WA only.
Harvest warning — A directive to farmers to stop harvesting, check the conditions and only proceed when safe.
Hazard reduction burns — A controlled burn conducted by fire officials to reduce the threat of bushfire (not to be confused with back burning).
Heatwave — BOM issues warnings when the maximum and minimum temperatures are unusually high for a period of three or more consecutive days.
L
Landslip — Resulting from earthquakes or heavy or prolonged rainfall, this is the commonly used term in Australia for large amounts of earth, rock, sand or mud moving down an cliff or mountain. Rockfalls and debris flows are types of landslides.
La Niña — A natural weather cycle associated with cooler ocean temperatures in the central and eastern parts of the Pacific Ocean and warmer ocean temperatures to the north of Australia. La Niña impacts global weather patterns and can often mean wetter seasons ahead.
O
One-in-100-year events — This term means there is a one per cent chance of an event at least that size in any given year. It does not mean the event will occur exactly once every 100 years, or that it will not happen again for another 100 years.
P
Prepare now — This is a call-to-action that you might see with an Advice or Watch and Act level warning.
R
Riverine flooding — Flooding that causes rivers to break their banks. The Bureau of Meteorology issues flood warnings for rivers they monitor.
S
Severe weather warning — Issued by the BOM for potentially hazardous or dangerous weather. This could be related to thunderstorms, tropical cyclones, bushfires and other land or coastal weather events. Issued when severe weather is happening in an area or is expected to develop or move into an area.
Spot fire — The wind carries small pieces of burning material ahead of the fire which can ignite new fires.
Storm Surge — an abnormal rise in sea level above the normal tide levels often caused by the strong winds from a cyclone pushing water against the coast.
Storm tide — the water level that happens when a storm surge combines with the normal astronomical tide. Storm tides can impact low-lying areas, sometimes for kilometres inland.
Supercell — A simultaneous and intense updraught and downdraught within a thunderstorm. Supercells have the potential to be the most severe form of storm.
T
Thunderstorm asthma — A thunderstorm asthma event is when pollen is captured within brewing storm clouds and bursts, causing severe breathing problems, even in people who have never had asthma.
Thunderstorm — Severe — Issued by the BOM for thunderstorms that are likely to cause large or giant hail, damaging or destructive wind gusts, heavy rain and flash flooding or tornadoes.
Thunderstorm — Detailed — This is a warning for a specific dangerous storm cell. It will include observations of recent rainfall, wind and hail. It will also predict a path where the storm is heading.
Thunderstorm — Dangerous or Very Dangerous — This is the highest level of warning for a storm and will include specific observations, predictions and instructions on what to do.
Tornado — Tornadoes happen in Australia more than some people realise. Warnings are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology as part of a Severe Weather Warning. See the BOM's tornadoes page for more information.
Total fire ban — Tells you what you can or can't do on days when fire will spread rapidly and be out of control. Fire bans are generally issued the day before the actual ban but can be issued the same day.
Tsunami — no threat — An undersea earthquake has been detected, however it has not generated a tsunami, or the tsunami poses no threat to Australia.
Tsunami — marine and immediate foreshore threat — Potentially dangerous rips, waves and strong ocean currents in the marine environment and the possibility of only some localised overflow onto the immediate foreshore.
Tsunami — land inundation threat — Warning for low-lying coastal areas of major land inundation, flooding, dangerous rips, waves and strong ocean currents.
W
Warning level — Advice — This means that whilst there is a weather event happening in your area you are in no immediate danger, but please stay informed by keeping up to date with warnings as that could change.
Warning level — Watch and Act — A Watch & Act warning is issued when there is threat to lives and properties. This is a good time to take action to protect yourself and your family.
Warning level — Emergency — This is the highest level of warning and means you are in danger. Follow the call to action attached to the warning immediately. Any delay may put your life at risk.