Severe orange wind alerts in northern France

Météo France has warned people to take extra care today (Sunday, February 20), although winds will not be as severe as those seen during Storm Eunice

A storm and strong waves hitting a lighthouse

Wind speeds could reach as much as as 120-130km/h in some coastal areas

Thomas Pajot / Shutterstock

Hannah Thompson Hannah Thompson

Published Sunday 20 February 2022 - 11:53 Modified Sunday 20 February 2022 - 11:53

Four departments in north France are on orange alert (second-most-severe) for strong winds, and the northwest coast is on flooding alert, with the warnings set to remain in place until tonight (February 20).

The departments on orange alert are Seine-Maritime, Somme, Pas-de-Calais and Nord. Winds are expected to reach up to 100-100km/h and as much as 120-130km/h in some coastal areas.

Very high and strong waves are expected in the Channel.

🔶 4 dpts en #vigilanceOrange

Restez informés sur https://t.co/rJ24zzmmy4 pic.twitter.com/hoJACZCJ1a
— VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) February 20, 2022

There are also 57 departments in the northern half of the country on alert for high winds.

The weather is expected to reach its peak between 20:00 tonight and 01:00 tomorrow morning (Monday, February 21).

Météo France has said that while the wind is not expected to be as strong as that seen during Storm Eunice, it will still require “special vigilance”.

The forecaster warned of “another stormy episode…with a very active cold front”

Storm Eunice aftermath

It comes two days after Storm Eunice hit much of northern Europe, killing at least 16 people and causing severe damage across France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and Ireland.

No one died in France, but 27 people were injured, of which eight severely. Transport links and roads were disrupted and thousands of homes were left temporarily without power.

Gusts as strong as 173km/h were recorded in Pas-de-Calais.