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Severe Weather and Natural Hazards Course 2026

This course is for security guards who patrol outdoors, drive between sites or look after buildings during severe weather. It covers Canadian weather alerts, lightning, hail, tornadoes, wind chill, heat, wildfire smoke, floods and earthquakes.

  • Security course
  • Canada
  • 25 questions
  • Checked October 11, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 35 minutes of lessons and a 25-question test. Score 80% or more to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 11, 2026.

Start with the lessonsSevere Weather and Natural Hazards: Lessons: about 35 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Explain warnings, watches, advisories and alert colours
  • Find safe shelter from lightning and hail
  • Choose the safest place during a tornado
  • Use wind chill values to prevent frostbite
  • Recognize heat exhaustion and heat stroke
  • Act safely in floods and earthquakes and report damage

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What does an Environment and Climate Change Canada weather WARNING mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Severe weather is happening or about to happen, so act now to protect yourself

    A warning is an urgent notice that severe weather is occurring or will occur. Take action right away.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What does a weather WATCH mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Conditions are favourable for severe weather to develop, so be prepared

    A watch means severe weather is possible. It may be upgraded to a warning.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    Which alert type is information only and is not colour-coded?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A special weather statement

    Special weather statements share information about unusual or concerning weather. They are not colour-coded alerts.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Since November 26, 2025, weather alerts in Canada have a colour. What does a RED alert mean?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Very dangerous, possibly life-threatening weather that will cause extreme damage and disruption

    Red is rare and means extreme, widespread and long-lasting impacts. Yellow is the most common and orange is uncommon.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which colour is the most common weather alert colour in Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Yellow

    Yellow means hazardous weather that may cause moderate, local or short-term impacts. It is the most common colour.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    How much notice might you get before a tornado, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Less than 30 minutes in some cases

    Most warnings come 6 to 24 hours ahead, but tornado warnings can come with less than 30 minutes' notice.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which system sends emergency alerts to TV, radio and compatible wireless devices in Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Alert Ready

    Alert Ready is Canada's emergency alerting system for TV, radio and compatible LTE wireless devices.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    You are on outdoor patrol and hear thunder. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Go to a safe shelter right away, because you are within striking distance

    If you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck. Get into a safe shelter immediately.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    After a thunderstorm, how long should you wait after the last thunder before going back outside?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. At least 30 minutes

    Stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder you hear.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    Which place is a safe shelter from lightning?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A fully enclosed metal car or truck with the windows closed

    Safe shelters are enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing, or enclosed metal vehicles. Tents, carports and small sheds are not safe.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    Several guards are caught in an open field during a thunderstorm with no shelter. What should they do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Spread out several metres apart and avoid being the highest object

    Spreading out lowers the chance that more than one person is hurt. Stay away from tall objects, water and metal fences.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Is it safe to touch a person who has just been struck by lightning?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Yes; call for help right away and start CPR if they are not breathing

    People struck by lightning are safe to touch. Get help and give first aid right away.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    You are caught outside in a hailstorm with no building nearby. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Crouch down, face away from the wind and protect your head and neck

    Protect your head and neck from falling hail and get into a solid building as soon as you can.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A tornado warning is issued while you are working in an office tower. Where should you take shelter?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An inner hallway or room on a low floor, away from windows

    Move to an inner hallway or room, ideally in the basement or on the ground floor. Do not use the elevator and stay away from windows.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    Why should you avoid sheltering in a gym or auditorium during a tornado?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Large wide-span roofs can collapse

    Wide-span roofs are more likely to fail. Go to another building if you can, or get under something sturdy.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    You are on mobile patrol and a tornado is very close. You cannot reach a building. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Get out of the vehicle and lie down in a low area such as a ditch

    If a tornado is close, leave the vehicle and lie low in a ditch. If it is far away, drive to the nearest solid shelter.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Which type of building accounts for over half of tornado deaths, according to Get Prepared?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Mobile homes

    Mobile homes offer little protection. Find a sturdier building, or lie in a ditch away from the home.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    The wind chill is -42. About how long could it take for exposed skin to freeze?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 5 to 10 minutes

    At a wind chill of -40 to -47 the risk is very high and exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    At a wind chill of -28 to -39, what does Environment and Climate Change Canada say about exposed skin?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. It can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes

    A wind chill of -28 to -39 is a high risk: exposed skin can freeze in 10 to 30 minutes.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    Which early sign of frostbite should you check for on your face and fingers during a cold patrol?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Numbness or whiteness of the skin

    Check your face and extremities often for numbness or whiteness, especially at higher risk levels.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    A coworker on a hot day is confused, has hot skin and then collapses. What is the most likely problem and the first action?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Heat stroke; call 911 right away and start cooling them

    Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Call 911, move them somewhere cooler and cool them with water and wet cloths.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Which signs point to heat exhaustion rather than heat stroke?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, nausea and cool, moist skin

    Heat exhaustion is serious and can lead to heat stroke if not treated. Move the person to a cool place and give water.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) reads 8 because of wildfire smoke. What risk level is this?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. High risk

    AQHI 1 to 3 is low, 4 to 6 moderate, 7 to 10 high and above 10 very high risk.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    You reach a flooded road on mobile patrol. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Do not drive through it; find another route

    You cannot tell the condition of the road under the water. Do not try to drive on a flooded road.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    An earthquake starts while you are inside a building. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Drop, cover and hold on, and stay inside

    Drop to your hands and knees, cover your head and neck under sturdy furniture, and hold on until the shaking stops.

What to know before the test

  • Since November 26, 2025, Canadian weather alerts are colour-coded yellow, orange or red by expected impact.
  • If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance; stay sheltered 30 minutes after the last thunder.
  • Tornado warnings can come with less than 30 minutes' notice.
  • At a wind chill of -40 to -47, exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Heat stroke is a medical emergency: call 911 and cool the person.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a weather watch and a warning?

A watch means conditions are favourable for severe weather, so be prepared. A warning means severe weather is happening or about to happen, so act now.

Is a guard booth safe in a thunderstorm?

Only if it is a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing. Small sheds and open shelters are not safe from lightning.

What should I do on mobile patrol if a tornado is near?

If it is far away, drive to the nearest solid shelter. If it is close, get out and lie in a low area such as a ditch, covering your head.

How do I stay safe on patrol in extreme cold?

Check the wind chill, dress in layers, cover exposed skin, take warm-up breaks and check often for numbness or white skin.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace the security licence training required in your province or territory.

Sources

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