How Many Levels Are There in Typhoon Warning Signals? What Actions Should Be Taken for Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Red Alerts?
China's four-tier typhoon warning signal standards and corresponding defense guidelines.
China's Typhoon Warning Signals (Four Tiers)
| Signal | Criteria | Key Defense Measures |
|---|---|---|
| 🔵 Blue | Possible impact within 24 hours; sustained winds of Force 6+ or gusts of Force 8+ | Monitor updates; secure items that may be blown away |
| 🟡 Yellow | Possible impact within 24 hours; sustained winds of Force 8+ or gusts of Force 10+ | Suspend outdoor activities; enter wind-resistance preparedness status |
| 🟠 Orange | Possible impact within 12 hours; sustained winds of Force 10+ or gusts of Force 12+ | Suspend classes and business operations (except for essential services); stay in safe locations |
| 🔴 Red | Possible or actual impact within 6 hours; sustained winds of Force 12+ or gusts of Force 14+ | Suspend classes, business operations, and transportation; do not go outdoors |
Important Notes
- Guangdong Province adds an extra White Warning tier (possible impact within 48 hours) to the national standard, serving as an informational alert.
- Warning signals are based on local wind conditions, not the intensity of the typhoon's center. Areas far from the center may still trigger high-level warnings due to outer circulation bands.
- Heavy rainfall from a typhoon's "inverted trough" can occur hundreds of kilometers from the center. Do not let your guard down until the warning is lifted.
Relationship with Emergency Response
Local governments will initiate Level IV to Level I emergency responses based on warning signals. A Red Warning typically corresponds to a Level I response, implementing mandatory measures such as traffic control and evacuation.