Storm Bram hits Ireland and UK: France to catch tail-end
Ferry cancellations announced with winds of 115 km/h and seven-metre waves forecast
Heightened alerts are in place across Ireland due to the storm. Photo for illustrative purposes only
Thomas Pajot / Shutterstock
A major storm set to batter the British Isles will clip the north-west of France today, although its impact south of the English Channel should be more limited.
Dubbed Storm Bram by Irish weather authorities, it is set to bring winds of up to 115 km/h across Ireland and parts of the UK as well as heavy rain. Several flights between Northern Ireland and Great Britain have been cancelled.
In Ireland, flood and wind warnings are in place, and temporary tidal defence structures have been erected to protect coastal towns.
The storm is also set to hit part of Great Britain later today, and the north-west of France will be on the tail end of the storm’s path.
Waves of up to seven metres are possible along the English Channel close to the French shoreline, and winds of up to 100 km/h forecast along the coast. Steady rainfall across Brittany and western Normandy is also expected from the morning onwards.
Those travelling on ferry services, particularly from Ireland to France, should check with the operator to see if sailings are impacted. Irish Ferries has already cancelled one Dublin-Cherbourg route due to the storm, and a Brittany Ferries service between Rosslare and Cherbourg has been postponed to tomorrow (December 10).
Warnings for coastal flooding and high waves are in place in Morbihan and Finistère, with the latter department also facing alerts for strong winds alongside Côtes d’Armor and Manche.
Outside of the north-west, some strong winds may hit the Atlantic coastline, with the Pyrénées-Atlantiques also facing alerts.
Currently, all warnings are at the less severe tier-two (yellow) level, with residents asked to be cautious and check in with local reports but no specific instructions given.
All warnings are scheduled to be lifted by around 18:00 today at the latest.
Storm Bram is doing little to diminish France’s unusually warm winter temperatures, although those in the above areas may feel chillier if out in the strong winds.
The stormy conditions should be the most severe to hit France over the coming week, with bright skies forecast until the weekend.
