Storm Austen approaches France

Storm Austen is set to hit France, bringing strong winds and significant weather disturbances. The storm will affect western France on Thursday evening and continue through Friday, initially crossing Brittany and Normandy before shifting toward the northern regions of the Hexagon, including Hauts-de-France and Île-de-France.

Wind speeds and rainfall expected

Gusts are expected to reach 100 to 110 km/h in the interior of Brittany and Normandy, with occasional gusts of up to 120 km/h and potentially 130 to 140 km/h along coastal areas. Rainfall associated with the storm will be significant in these regions on Friday.

Orange wind alert issued

Ten departments—Manche, Calvados, Seine-Maritime, Eure, Finistère, Orne, Morbihan, Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique, and Côtes-d'Armor—are under an orange wind alert for the night and the day of Friday. This level of alert indicates a high risk of damage and disruption.

First autumn storm in France

Storm Austen is the first autumn storm to arrive in France, and it is notable for striking areas that have been relatively calm for several weeks, if not months. The strong winds are expected to cause damage to homes and infrastructure, as well as tree falls, particularly since vegetation still retains a significant portion of its leaves.

Meteorological bomb classification

Storm Austen is classified as a meteorological bomb, or explosive cyclogenesis, due to its rapid deepening. This classification applies when the pressure at the center of the storm drops by more than 24 hectopascals (hPa) in less than 24 hours.

Train services suspended

In response to the storm, SNCF Nomad Train announced on Wednesday, October 21, that all trains in the Normandy region have been stopped, and travel has been suspended. The decision was made to ensure the safety of passengers and staff and to avoid trains being stopped on the tracks during the storm. Passengers are advised to plan travel for October 22 or reschedule to the afternoon of Saturday, October 24.