I would think those horrific conditions we had a week ago today in Leicestershire would warrant a red warning! Tornado, lightning strikes, flash floods, hailstones as big as golfballs which has caused £150m damage in the county .................... I would love to know if a red warning WAS issued last Thursday morning, but I suppose we will never know!
The guide to what the "traffic lights" mean is above but it comes down to the assessed risk of the liklihood the event will occur and the impact it will have on a specific area. The impact level is the key point because certain conditions would effect people in different ways in different parts of the country. It's pretty complex and these decisions are made by very experienced senior forecasters
Well its an Amber warning for us in the east midlands tomorrow morning (groan) hope it doesn't turn into a red one and we get the weather we got last week, people have only just replaced panes of glass in their greenhouses and conservatories!
Red warnings state that flooding is guaranteed to happen in close proximity to land and property adjacent to rivers identified for the red warning(s).
Those living nearby should take all sensible precautions to protect their property and contents in readiness for an inundation by whatever means they can, moving valuables and important possessions to the highest part of said property.