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French weekend weather outlook December 14 - 15: gloomy and chilly in the north
Cloudy skies are expected to dominate in the north, but in the south temperatures will still reach double figures
Flood warnings raised as rain continues in north of France
Several cross-channel ferries have been cancelled and 10 departments are now on high (orange) weather alert
Ten departments are on high (level-two) alert as gales continue to sweep the north of France and flooding returns to the Pas-de-Calais and Nord departments.
Brittany is also set for a day of very heavy rain.
DFDS Seaways has cancelled several ferry services between Dover and Calais due to poor weather conditions.
DOVER-CALAIS Cancelled services: Exit Dover 12:55 due to adverse weather. Apologies for this inconvenience caused. Customers will be transferred to the first available departure. #dfdsinfo pic.twitter.com/fULadFHpJ1
— DFDS UK & IRE Updates (@DFDSUKUpdates) January 2, 2024
The strong winds of the New Year have brought wet weather to most of the northern half of the country.
Rivers and other water courses in the Pas-de-Calais and Nord departments (Hauts-de-France) are overflowing again, having taken several weeks to drain after flooding in November.
Alerts have been raised for 53 departments due to the gales, which are forecast to reach up to 100km/h along the Normandy coast and up to 50km/h inland as far south as Lyon.
Read more: Weather alerts: Half of France on alert for high winds
⚠️ La vigilance orange crue est étendue à de très nombreux cours d'eau du Pas-de-Calais et du Nord. Les 48 prochaines heures seront à hauts risques en raison de pluies très abondantes. pic.twitter.com/KBDPVeixHz
— Météo Express (@MeteoExpress) January 1, 2024
The Haut-de-France prefecture published a warning on X (formerly Twitter) against “approaching flooded areas either in a vehicle or on foot”. It advises people to exercise “extreme caution” in affected areas.
Le Pas-de-Calais en vigilance orange aux crues : l'eau monte à Thérouanne https://t.co/EH7e3yAL40 pic.twitter.com/XqB9TZ29ab
— France Bleu Nord (@fbleunord) January 1, 2024
The extensive flooding throughout the month of November left thousands of homes without running water and electricity.
Previous article: Thousands of homes without water as flood alerts continue in France
There is no sign of respite for the Pas-de-Calais department, with up to 25mm of rain forecast on January 2, and more rain expected every day until Saturday.
However, the blustery weather is expected to bring heavier rain to Brittany, where Brennilis in Finistère will see 69mm of precipitation on January 2 alone.
The gales are forecast to subside on Thursday as a cold snap seizes France.
Read more:
What to do (and not do) during heavy rain and flood alerts in France