What color is typically used for severe thunderstorm warnings on weather maps?

Severe thunderstorm warnings are commonly represented in yellow on weather maps. This color is used to convey caution and draw attention to the potential for severe weather events. The use of yellow helps meteorologists communicate that conditions could lead to hazardous situations, allowing the public to take necessary precautions. The choice of color is intentional as yellow is easily noticeable and conveys a sense of alert without inducing panic, which is important in emergency messaging.

In contrast, other colors on weather maps have specific meanings; for example, red is often associated with more extreme warnings like tornado or flash flood warnings. Blue and green typically denote different types of weather phenomena or lower levels of advisory, making yellow the appropriate choice for indicating severe thunderstorms due to its clear visual alert function.