First Autumn Storm Approached Northwestern France
Storm Austen is forecasted to bring wind gusts exceeding 100 kilometers per hour to the English Channel coast.
The first major autumn storm of the season is set to impact northwestern France, bringing strong winds and severe weather conditions starting late Thursday night, according to Météo-France.
Named Storm Austen by the British meteorological service, the weather system will sweep across the northwestern region between Thursday, October 22, and Friday, October 23. Forecasters indicate that the most intense winds will heavily batter the English Channel coast.
The meteorological institute explained that a deep low-pressure system will form off the coast of Finistère during the night. It is expected to travel between southern England and the Channel coastline, maintaining a disrupted weather pattern that has persisted across the country throughout the week.
The strongest gusts are predicted to surpass 100 kilometers per hour, particularly affecting northern Brittany through the night and into Friday morning. As Friday progresses into the afternoon, these powerful winds will shift toward Normandy and the Hauts-de-France region.
In addition to the coastal impact, strong winds are expected to reach further south. Météo-France anticipates wind speeds ranging from 70 to 90 kilometers per hour stretching from the Pays de la Loire region across Île-de-France and into Champagne-Ardenne.
Following its path across France, the storm is projected to continue moving northeastward into the Benelux countries and eventually reach northern Germany by the end of its trajectory.