TAUNTON remains firmly in the firing line for the ‘Beast from the East’ with a red warning for large swathes of Somerset in place from 3pm.

But what does ‘red’ actually mean?

The Met Office has information on what the three colour statuses represent.

Yellow

Severe weather is possible over the next few days and could affect you. Yellow means that you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities. The Met Office is monitoring the developing weather situation and Yellow means keep an eye on the latest forecast and be aware that the weather may change or worsen, leading to disruption of your plans in the next few days.  

RELATED: How snow is impacting Taunton, Bridgwater, Chard, Ilminster Burnham and elsewhere in Somerset

Amber

There is an increased likelihood of bad weather affecting you, which could potentially disrupt your plans and possibly cause travel delays, road and rail closures, interruption to power and the potential risk to life and property. Amber means you need to be prepared to change your plans and protect you, your family and community from the impacts of the severe weather based on the forecast from the Met Office

Red

Extreme weather is expected. Red means you should take action now to keep yourself and others safe from the impact of the weather. Widespread damage, travel and power disruption and risk to life is likely. You must avoid dangerous areas and follow the advice of the emergency services and local authorities.

Chard & Ilminster News:

Met Office maps show Taunton is situated where amber and red warnings meet, with heavy snow for the town forecast between 2pm today and 8am tomorrow.

What the amber warning states for Taunton: “A spell of heavy snow is expected. The snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds leading to blizzards and considerable drifting.

“From Thursday evening some places could also see ice build up due to freezing rain. Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem very likely. Some roads may become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers.

“Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are likely to occur, along with possible damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.

RELATED: Schools in Taunton, Bridgwater, Chard, Ilminster, Burnham - Somerset confirmed CLOSED March 1

“This is an update to shrink the amber area slightly, removing parts of southwest Wales as well as central southern England. Snow amounts over upland areas have also been increased.

The Met office states the red warning for Taunton will affect areas one mile west of the town: “From 3pm today and 2am tomorrow, a spell of heavy snow and blizzard conditions is expected.

“The snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds leading to severe drifting. Some places could also see significant ice build up due to freezing rain from later on Thursday evening, most likely in the south of the area.

“Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem highly likely. Some roads are likely to become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.”