yellow alert

noun

1. (in military or civilian defense) the first alert given when enemy aircraft are discovered approaching a military installation, city, coastline, etc.

2. the signal or alarm sounded for this alert.

3. any primary stage of alert, as when toxic chemicals have escaped in a particular area and a potential hazard exists.

Word History and Origins

Origin of yellow alert¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

A yellow alert for snow affects most of the mainland north of Perth from 03:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday, after the Highlands saw its first snowfall of the season last week.

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The Spanish island also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms, from 08:00 until 18:00 on Tuesday.

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Mallorca, another Balearic island, is also at risk of heavy rainfall and floods with Spain's weather agency, known as Aemet, placing it under a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms.

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North East England, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber and south-west England have a yellow alert for the same period.

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Meanwhile, Yorkshire and Humber and the West Midlands are under a less serious yellow alert.

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