In the Maldives, where the sea and sky shape our daily lives, knowing how to interpret weather information isn’t just useful — it’s essential. Whether you’re a fisherman, traveler, or community member, understanding weather terminology and alerts helps you plan ahead, avoid risk, and protect lives and livelihoods.

Why It Matters

Every year, unpredictable weather affects travel, fishing, and island safety. By learning how to interpret weather forecasts and alerts:

You can recognize early warning signs of bad weather.
You will know when to avoid going out to sea or delay travel.
You will stay better prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Weather Conditions and What They Mean

Weather forecasts use special words to describe the conditions around us words like fine weather, showers, thundershowers, and squally winds. Understanding what these terms mean helps you read the forecast with confidence, make safer decisions, and stay alert to changes in the environment.

🌞 Fine Weather

Very less probability of rain/showers, most of the times sunny and few clouds may be seen at times.

🌤️ Mainly Fine / Generally Fine

Probability of a shower or two, most of the times fine weather.

☁️ Cloudy

Most of the time sky covered by more than 5 oktas of cloud, some thick clouds with diffused sunlight.

🌦️ Showers

Precipitation that normally do not last longer.

🌧️ Rain

Precipitation that last longer and most of the times with cloudy sky

⛈️ Thundershowers

Showers associated with thunder and lightning.

💨 🌧️ Squally Showers

Showers with frequent gust winds or strong winds lasting for quite some times.

⚡⛈️ Heavy Thundershowers

Heavy showers with thunder and lightning with probability of lightning striking on the objects at the ground.

Calm winds

Very light winds or no wind movement at all.

Variable

Very light winds blowing from different directions, normally speed less than 3 miles per hour.

Gust

Strong sudden increase in wind speed that do not last longer. Normally associated with showers or thunderstorms in the vicinity.

Different weather conditions across the Maldives

Speedboat during rough sea conditions with strong winds. Source - Maldives independent, 2022

High waves crash around a boat caught in rough seas. Source - PSM News, 2024

Calm seas and clear skies in Ali Dhaalu Atoll. Source - Ibrahim Shameel

Lightning flashes across thick clouds. Source - secretparadise.mv

Dark clouds above an island in Alif Alif Atoll. Source - Ibrahim Shameel

Gusty winds and pouring rain blur the roads of Malé. Source - mendhuru.tv

Hazards which Maldives Meteorological Services issues Alert

Heavy Rain
Flood
Thunderstorm
Squalls
Swell & Tidal Waves
Tropical Cyclone

Learn about Weather Alerts

In situations where adverse weather conditions are anticipated, the Maldives Meteorological Service issues alerts and warnings in 5 colors. Each of these alerts and warnings will specify :-

Color
Type of hazard
The affected area/region
The start and end times.

White Alert

This is an alert issued to provide information about the onset of deteriorating conditions.

Yellow Alert

Important to be vigilant, with individuals monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautionary measures.

Orange Warning

All parties should be extremely cautious, and it is important for everyone to generally take safety measures.

Red Warning

Immediate safety measures should be taken by all parties.

Green Alert

Used to indicate that some conditions, especially after a Red Warning, have ended and to announce that it is safe.

Examples of Alerts issued by Maldives Meteorological Services

Yellow Alert Issued by MMS for Torrential Rain and Thunderstorm, October 2025

Maldives Meteorology Media Post (1).jpeg

Orange Alert Issued by MMS for Torrential Rain and Thunderstorm, March 2025

White Alert Issued by MMS for Swell surges, October 2024

Learn more about Maldives Meteorological Service

For more information visit - www.meteorology.gov.mv

Why It Matters

Every year, unpredictable weather affects travel, fishing, and island safety. By learning how to interpret weather forecasts and alerts:

You can recognize early warning signs of bad weather.

You will know when to avoid going out to sea or delay travel.

You will stay better prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community.

Weather Conditions and What They Mean

🌞 Fine Weather

Very less probability of rain/showers, most of the times sunny and few clouds may be seen at times.

🌤️ Mainly Fine / Generally Fine

Probability of a shower or two, most of the times fine weather.

☁️ Cloudy

Most of the time sky covered by more than 5 oktas of cloud, some thick clouds with diffused sunlight.

🌦️ Showers

Precipitation that normally do not last longer.

🌧️ Rain

Precipitation that last longer and most of the times with cloudy sky

⛈️ Thundershowers

Showers associated with thunder and lightning.

💨 🌧️ Squally Showers

Showers with frequent gust winds or strong winds lasting for quite some times.

⚡⛈️ Heavy Thundershowers

Heavy showers with thunder and lightning with probability of lightning striking on the objects at the ground.

Calm winds

Very light winds or no wind movement at all.

Variable

Very light winds blowing from different directions, normally speed less than 3 miles per hour.

Gust

Strong sudden increase in wind speed that do not last longer. Normally associated with showers or thunderstorms in the vicinity.

Different weather conditions across the Maldives

Speedboat during rough sea conditions with strong winds. Source - Maldives independent, 2022

High waves crash around a boat caught in rough seas. Source - PSM News, 2024

Calm seas and clear skies in Ali Dhaalu Atoll. Source - Ibrahim Shameel

Lightning flashes across thick clouds. Source - secretparadise.mv

Dark clouds above an island in Alif Alif Atoll. Source - Ibrahim Shameel

Gusty winds and pouring rain blur the roads of Malé. Source - mendhuru.tv

Learn about Weather Alerts

In situations where adverse weather conditions are anticipated, the Maldives Meteorological Service issues alerts and warnings in 5 colors. Each of these alerts and warnings will specify :-

Color

Type of hazard

The affected area/region

The start and end times.

White Alert

This is an alert issued to provide information about the onset of deteriorating conditions.

Yellow Alert

Important to be vigilant, with individuals monitoring the situation and taking necessary precautionary measures.

Orange Warning

All parties should be extremely cautious, and it is important for everyone to generally take safety measures.

Red Warning

Immediate safety measures should be taken by all parties.

Green Alert

Used to indicate that some conditions, especially after a Red Warning, have ended and to announce that it is safe.

Understanding Weather Forecasts and Alerts

Why It Matters

Weather Conditions and What They Mean

Different weather conditions across the Maldives

Hazards which Maldives Meteorological Services issues Alert

Learn about Weather Alerts

Examples of Alerts issued by Maldives Meteorological Services

Learn more about Maldives Meteorological Service

Understanding Weather Forecasts and Alerts

Why It Matters

Weather Conditions and What They Mean

Different weather conditions across the Maldives

Hazards which Maldives Meteorological Services issues Alert

Learn about Weather Alerts

Examples of Alerts issued by Maldives Meteorological Services

Learn more about Maldives Meteorological Service