A powerful wind system is expected to intensify this Friday, with a low-pressure system deepening south of Iceland to a central pressure near 955 hPa. Wind gusts at sea have reached 160 to 180 km/h over a large portion of the ocean. In France, however, high-pressure systems are expected to dominate at least until October 9, delaying the arrival of the first named storm. An active cold front is crossing the country midweek, bringing thunderstorms to the southeast, with heavy rains in Corsica and the Mediterranean regions. The strength of wind is not directly proportional to its speed but depends on the square of its speed. This means that a wind of 90 km/h feels much more intense than one at 60 km/h, even though the speed has only increased by 50%. Météo-France uses specific thresholds to classify wind conditions: a wind advisory is issued when gusts reach 62 km/h, and a storm is declared when gusts exceed 90 km/h on land. Wind becomes particularly dangerous inland at around 100 km/h, with higher thresholds on the coast and in the southeast, where residents are accustomed to strong winds like the mistral, tramontane, or autan. The reason for this dramatic increase in force is rooted in aerodynamics, as explained by NASA's drag equation: D = Cd × (ρ × V² × A) / 2, where D represents the force exerted by the air on an object, ρ is the air density, V is the wind speed, A is the exposed surface area, and Cd is a coefficient that depends on the shape and orientation of the object facing the air flow. The crucial factor is that this force depends on the square of the speed, not the speed itself. Therefore, doubling the wind speed does not double the force but increases it by four times. These differences in wind power help explain why some wind events have a more significant impact than others. For example, storm Ciaran reached 170 km/h at the tip of Finistère, storm Amy triggered an orange alert in six departments with gusts exceeding 130 km/h in Seine-Maritime, and storm Benjamin affected 10% of the territory with a peak of 168 km/h in Haute-Corse. In each of these cases, each additional speed range represented a significantly stronger push than the previous one. Around the Hérault and Gard regions, rainfall intensities have been notable, with accumulations of 100 to 250 mm in 24 hours recorded between the coast and north of Montpellier, often adding to the unsettled conditions. The autumn-winter season 2026-2027 has already begun with a list of 21 possible storm names, established by Météo-France and five other European countries, indicating that windy episodes will likely be a regular feature in the coming months. For now, the depression affecting the Atlantic is not expected to bring violent winds to France, as high-pressure systems remain in control until October 9. However, when facing such weather phenomena, the best approach remains the same: monitor weather alerts and avoid judging the strength of the wind only by ear or by hastily comparing two speed numbers.