Short answer. Argentina's weather warnings come from the National Meteorological Service (SMN) Early Warning System, with yellow, orange and red levels 1. A national cell broadcast system, AlertAR, was approved and funded by ENACOM Resolution 1387/2025 (Official Gazette, 20 November 2025) 2, but was not confirmed as operational on 20 October 2026. Near nuclear plants, warnings come by local FM radio, loudspeakers and sirens 3.
What do the SMN weather alert colours mean?
| Level | Official wording | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Green | "Tranquilidad" | No weather phenomena posing a risk are expected 1 |
| Yellow | "Informate" (stay informed) | Possible phenomena capable of causing damage and momentary disruption of daily activities 1 |
| Orange | "Preparate" (get ready) | Phenomena dangerous to society, life, property and the environment are expected 1 |
| Red | "Seguí instrucciones oficiales" (follow official instructions) | Exceptional phenomena with potential to cause emergencies or disasters are expected 1 |
Alerts are published on smn.gob.ar/alertas 1.
Will my phone receive emergency alerts in Argentina?
Not yet confirmed. ENACOM Resolution 960/2025 designates cell broadcast as the technology for early warnings to mobile phones, and ENACOM Resolution 1387/2025 approves the AlertAR project with ARS 12,000,000,000 from the Universal Service Fund 2. ENACOM then launched a public tender for the cell broadcast platforms; no award or public test was found by 20 October 2026. Until AlertAR is announced as live, do not count on phone alerts.
How are people warned near a nuclear power plant?
Within 10 km of Atucha or Embalse, the Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) says to get information from local FM radio, loudspeakers and sirens: "Informate a través de las radios FM locales, altoparlantes y sirenas" 3. Two signals are used 4:
- ALERTA VERDE (green alert): an emergency is declared. Stay indoors, receive iodine tablets but do not take them, and prepare to shelter.
- ALARMA ROJA (red alarm): take the iodine tablet, close doors and windows, seal air entries with damp rags, tape or paper, and switch off ventilation that takes outside air.
Note that the nuclear "green alert" is a call to action, while SMN "green" means calm. Details on tablets are on our iodine page.
What should you do when you hear an alert?
Follow the instruction attached to the level: inform yourself at yellow, prepare at orange, follow official instructions at red 1. Keep a battery radio for power cuts; our guides on emergency radios and air raid alerts explain general practice.
Frequently asked questions
Is AlertAR working?
It was approved and funded in November 2025 2, but it was not confirmed as operational on 20 October 2026: no award or public test of the platforms was found.
What does an orange alert mean in Argentina?
Weather phenomena dangerous to society, life, property and the environment are expected; the instruction is "Preparate", get ready 1.
What should I do at the red alarm near a nuclear plant?
Take the iodine tablet, close doors and windows, seal air entries and switch off ventilation that takes outside air 4.
Sources
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) — Alertas (Sistema de Alerta Temprana) — https://www.smn.gob.ar/alertas (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina — Resolución 1387/2025 - Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones — https://www.boletinoficial.gob.ar/detalleAviso/primera/334807/20251120 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN) — Medidas de protección a la población hasta los 10 km de la Central Nuclear — https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/2025/09/medidas_de_proteccion_poblacion.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN) — ¿Qué hacer en una emergencia nuclear? — https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/2025/09/que_hacer_en_emergencia_nuclear_2025.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Argentina, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN) · Alertas (Sistema de Alerta Temprana) checked 2026-10-20
- Boletín Oficial de la República Argentina · Resolución 1387/2025 - Ente Nacional de Comunicaciones checked 2026-10-20
- Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN) · Medidas de protección a la población hasta los 10 km de la Central Nuclear checked 2026-10-20
- Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN) · ¿Qué hacer en una emergencia nuclear? checked 2026-10-20