Weather alert: “violent gusts of wind”, “heavy snowfall”, avalanches… storm Enol hits France, 6 departments on orange alert

For the day of Sunday, December 22, Météo-France has placed three departments on orange alert for “strong winds”. It will be in effect from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., indicates the meteorological institute this Saturday. The departments concerned are Côtes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine and Manche.

“In a rapid northwest flow between a depression named 'Enol' located to the west of Norway and a powerful anticyclone located in the North Atlantic, strong gusts will affect the coastal departments of the Channel.warns Météo-France. Gusts that can reach “120 km/h or even 130 km/h” are particularly expected on Sunday in this part of France.

The Pyrenees on orange alert?

Three other departments will be placed on Sunday on alert orange “snow-ice” (from 9 a.m.) and “avalanches” (from 6 p.m.). This is Isère, Savoie and Haute-Savoie. “Of the heavy snowfall will fall on the north of the Alps from the middle mountains”specifies the meteorological institute.

Météo-France could extend its “strong winds” vigilance to other departments. Finistère, Calvados and Seine-Maritime “will be affected by violent and frequent gusts”. “A worsening of the level of vigilance for the strong wind parameter cannot be ruled out for these departments.”

At the same time, other regions could switch from yellow to orange regarding “snow-ice” vigilance. “Due to the significant snowfall expected in the Pyrenees during the night from Sunday to Monday, a worsening of the level of snow and ice vigilance is possible by Sunday evening”, concludes Météo-France.