Manche, Finistère and Morbihan on orange alert for strong winds
Gusts of up to 130km/h are expected to hit northwest France from mid afternoon until the early hours of tomorrow morning
Three departments in northwest France have been placed under an orange weather alert for “violent winds” this morning (October 20).
Manche, Finistère and Morbihan are also on a yellow warning for heavy rain, storms and powerful waves, which are set to hit the coastline from 18:00, lasting into the early hours of Thursday.
Today, 66 other departments in northern and central France have also been put on a yellow warning for strong winds and heavy rain.
The wind is not currently particularly powerful in the three departments on orange alert, but an area of low pressure is moving in a west-southwesterly direction over southern England.
This will result in strong winds on France’s Atlantic coastline beginning around 15:00, which will then push inland, affecting the northern half of the country.
Finistère and Morbihan can expect winds of 100-110km/h, which could reach 120km/h in some areas. In Manche, gusts of 110-120km/h – and even up to 130km/h in some areas – are forecast.
Further inland, winds of 90-100km/h are predicted by Météo France.
Later this evening, the wind will move progressively east, affecting other coastal departments in Normandy.
The orange alert currently in place will last until 03:00 tomorrow morning.
Do I need to do anything?
An orange weather warning calls for local residents to be “very vigilant” of the situation.
People living in orange alert areas may be affected by power cuts and telephone line problems.
Traffic may also be slowed by broken branches and debris blocking the road and property could be damaged by the wind.
Residents are therefore advised to secure any possessions that are exposed to the elements and to keep up to date with the situation as it unfolds.
Météo France also recommends that people try to stay at home or inside a building if possible.
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