France braces for Storm Goretti with winds forecast up to 140km/h
France is bracing for Storm Goretti, with violent winds forecast from Thursday and several western regions placed on orange alert.
After days of disruption caused by heavy snowfall, France is now preparing for the arrival of Storm Goretti, which is expected to bring violent winds from Thursday afternoon.
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Four western départements — Seine-Maritime, Calvados, Manche and Eure — have been placed on orange alert for strong winds.
Weather forecasters are describing the system as a bombe météorologique, with particularly severe conditions expected along the English Channel.
The storm is forecast to reach Brittany on Thursday afternoon before moving across the Channel and towards Hauts-de-France overnight.
Gusts of up to 130–140km/h are expected along exposed coastal areas, especially in western Brittany, while inland regions such as the Monts d’Arrée and the Rennes basin are also likely to see strong winds.
Storm Goretti is expected to reach the Île-de-France region overnight from Thursday to Friday, with conditions gradually improving by Friday morning.