Eleven departments in the Southeast and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region were placed on Orange alert, this Friday for high winds by Meteo France, which provides gusts up to 130 km/h, locally accompanied by significant falls snow.
The orange alert previously announced for wind in the Rhone, the Loire and the Haute-Loire was extended at midday to a further eight departments: Aveyron, the Bouches-du-Rhône, Cantal, Gard, Hérault the Tarn, the Var and Vaucluse.
Cantal, Aveyron and the Tarn are also placed on orange alert for snow, with significant falls expected heavy and sticky snow from 400 to 500 meters before morning. A rain-storm marked deterioration accompany.
Snow above 500 meters
The snow may reach 10 to 20 centimeters above 500 meters, locally 30 cm. The wind may promote accumulation on exposed areas.
On the lower valley of the Rhone and the Var is at the end of the night from Friday to Saturday as the south wind southeast will significantly strengthen. gusts of 110 to 130 km/h are expected on the coast and 100 to 120 km/h on the inside.
The south wind on the Massif Central will strengthen significantly Friday afternoon on the relief of orange vigilance departments, but also in downstream plain Vivarais (of the Haute-Loire) and Pilat, affecting agglomeration Saint-Etienne, the Gier valley and south of the Rhône department.
Over 100 km/h of wind
France weather expected gusts of 90 to 110 km/h and locally more, until Saturday.
The south wind will blow on the Forez, Beaujolais, where gusts will exceed 100 km/h. They reach in plain 80 to 100 km/h more temporarily, on the Allier valley, the Forez plain and the valley of Saône, Lyon area included.
This wind is likely to cause significant damage, warns Météo France. Traffic conditions can be difficult and disruptions could affect air and rail transport as well as electricity and telephone networks.
