Winds up to 140kph on Sunday evening

FORECASTERS are warning of fierce winds across a large part of France on Sunday evening, potentially gusting up to 140kph in the Pyrenees.

Météo France says the windy weather will cross France from west to east, hitting the Atlantic coast from Brittany down to the Pyrenees first, then crossing France to the Ardennes down to the Swiss border.

Gusts of up to 120kph are forecast for the Vendée, 140kph for the Pyrenees, 120kph in the Alps and 110kph in the north-east of France.

On Saturday, Météo France had already placed most of northern and western France on a yellow alert because of the risk of flooding, storms and strong winds. The forecaster says people should be careful practising outdoor activities or near water.