Storm Darragh: violent winds, strong waves, snow… fifteen departments on orange alert including Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales

Météo-France has placed 15 departments on orange alert this Saturday, December 7, 2024. Eleven are on orange alert for strong winds, linked to the Darragh storm, and four for risks of snow and ice.

A new storm, called “Darragh”, is moving from England to Belgium during this day of Saturday, December 7, 2024, informs Météo-France.

Consequences on the country ? A clear strengthening of the wind, particularly in the eleven departments on orange alert for strong winds. Pas-de-Calais, Somme, Seine-Maritime, Calvados, Manche, Ille-et-Vilaine, Côtes d’Armor, Morbihan, Finistère and in the south of France Aude, Pyrénées-Orientales are concerned.

Tramontane, a “brief and intense” episode

The episode has already begun on the coast of the Channel and the exposed capes.“We are recording up to 125 km/h at the end of the night in Boulogne-sur-Mer (62), 114 km/h in Plovan (29), 100 to 110 km/h in general on the coast, 60 to 80 km/h inland in the north-west quarter”, Météo-France emphasizes in its bulletin published this Saturday, December 7 at 6 a.m.

In Occitanie, a “brief but intense” tramontane episode requiring special vigilance is expected in Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales.

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Heavy snowfall

After the passage of storm Darragh, heavy snowfalls from the mid-mountains are expected in the Pyrenees, announces the meteorological institute. Four departments are also placed on orange alert for risks of snow and ice. These are Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. At 6 am this Saturday, the snow episode had not yet started.

Up to 1.50 m of snow is expected above 2,000 meters in altitude in the Pyrenees by Monday, underlines La Chaîne Météo. The blizzard will form snowdrifts at altitude.

Sustained wind during the night

The wind will weaken slightly at the end of the day, but will remain strong during the night from Saturday to Sunday and during the day on Sunday according to the latest forecasts from the two institutes weather.

Gusts up to 140 km/h

In the Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales, the tramontane will strengthen early this afternoon on Saturday. “Gusts could reach 110 to 120 km/h, locally up to 140 km/h on the Roussillon plains, the Leucate area as well as in the Vallespir and the relief of the Albères”, details Météo-France. The evening should be calmer even if the wind will remain noticeable until the middle of the night.