An early warning system (EWS) integrates four pillars: risk knowledge, monitoring and prediction (radar, satellites, models), dissemination (communication channels), and response capability (civil protection, evacuation).
The WMO promotes "Early Warnings for All" to cover everyone worldwide by 2027. AEMET's METEOALERTA warnings, the European EFAS (floods) and ARISTOTLE (multi-hazard) systems are examples. Lead time has improved from 2 days (1990) to 5 days (2024) for severe events.