Heavy rain alert in Brittany as powerful Channel storm set to hit
Winds of 100 km/h are expected in coastal areas. Rainfall of up to 70mm forecast
The storm will pass through the English Channel, affecting several coastal departments. Archive photo shows a storm near La Chaume jetty
Thomas Pajot/Shutterstock
Strong winds and heavy rain are expected across north-west France today (January 15), as a powerful storm passes through the English Channel and hits Brittany and Normandy.
Winds of 100 km/h are set to hit the coast, reaching up to 70 km/h inland.
Persistent rainfall will hit the tip of the Breton peninsula from Thursday morning onwards, leading to around 50mm falling between this morning and 10:00 on Friday (January 16). In some locations this could reach up to 70mm.
State forecaster Météo France has placed several departments in the areas on a tier-two (yellow) warning for strong winds, heavy rain, and river flooding, with Finistère on a heightened tier-three orange warning for heavy rain/flash flooding.
These alerts may be updated as the storm progresses, particularly if its path moves and covers more areas of France.
Most Cross-Channel ferry services are set to run as scheduled at the moment, but this may change as the storm progresses. Ferry travellers should check for updates regularly.
Conditions will remain calm elsewhere in France, although several avalanche warnings are in place. The warnings come after six skiers died last weekend in the Alps, all from avalanche-related incidents.
Persistent and heavy rain is forecast for the south-east tomorrow and throughout the weekend.
