European Weather Alerts Available for AerisWeather Maps

Weather alerts are a critical and in demand component of our service, so much so that we recently added support for European weather alerts within the AerisWeather API. Today, European weather alerts are now also available within AerisWeather Maps. This opens the door for businesses operating in the European Union and United Kingdom to visualize weather alerts with precision in territories often unserved by those who simply aggregate free, public data sources.

The European alerts are now available as part of the standard alerts layer, available to all Maps users! If you are already using the alerts layer, then no changes are required as the European weather alerts will automatically be included.

European Weather Alertsphotoshop

If you are not currently using the weather alerts  layers, you simply add it as one of the layers in your Maps requests:

Alternatively, you can use our Maps Wizard:

• Stand-alone map
• Interactive map

European weather alerts are available for all Maps users starting today!

Differences between EU & US / Canada Alerts

Within the United States and Canada, alerts are disseminated as warnings, watches, advisories, and statements. Per the NWS, these are described as follows:

• Warning – A warning is issued when hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent or likely. A warning means weather conditions pose a threat to life or property. People in the path of the storm need to take protective action.
• Advisory – An advisory is issued when hazardous weather or hydrologic event is occurring, imminent, or likely. Advisories are for less serious conditions than warnings, that cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.
• Watch – A watch is when the risk of hazardous weather or hydrologic event has increased significantly, but its occurrence, location, or timing is still uncertain. It is intended to provide enough lead time, so those who need to set their plans in motion can do so. A watch means that hazardous weather is possible. People should have a plan of action in case a storm threatens, and they should listen for later information and possible warnings, especially when planning travel or outdoor activities.

However, European alerts are all issued as weather warnings with different severity levels: moderate, severe, and extreme:

• Moderate: The weather is potentially dangerous. The weather phenomena that have been forecast are not unusual, but be attentive if you intend to practice activities exposed to meteorological risks. Keep informed about the expected meteorological conditions and do not take any avoidable risk.
• Severe: The weather is dangerous. Unusual meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Damage and casualties are likely to happen. Be very vigilant and keep regularly informed about the detailed expected meteorological conditions. Be aware of the risks that might be unavoidable. Follow any advice given by your authorities.
• Extreme: The weather is very dangerous. Exceptionally intense meteorological phenomena have been forecast. Major damage and accidents are likely, in many cases, with a threat to life and limb, over a wide area. Keep frequently informed about detailed expected meteorological conditions and risks. Follow orders and any advice given by your authorities under all circumstances, be prepared for extraordinary measures.

The complete list of weather alert types and their associated codes and map key are available within our alert types documentation.

New Storm Surge Alerts Layer

Along with the European alerts, we have added a new storm surge map layer that displays National Weather Service alerts related to tropical storm and hurricane storm surge. The new layer is available using the alerts-surge  layer name:

Start Integrating European Alerts Today

Check out the map builder for quickly creating maps, review our growing list of available layers, or learn more about our AerisWeather Map Layers with our Getting Started section.

Start mapping the weather today with a free developer trial or by contacting our accounts team!

Share this post: