Storm Amy. The Nord and Pas-de-Calais are on Orange Alert, Thunderstorms also Expected

The Nord and Pas-de-Calais finally go on orange alert for violent winds, this Saturday 4th October 2025, as storm Amy approaches. Thunderstorms are also forecast.

We announced it to you this Friday : from the early hours of the morning, Météo France placed, this Saturday 4th October 2025, the North and the Pas-de-calais in yellow vigilance violent winds, approaching depression Amy. Vigilance was finally revised upwards, and both departments are going orange, from 12pm. until 8pm. Yellow vigilance for storms are also underway, in addition to another which concerns the coast, for waves-submersion.

Six French departments are switching to orange for violent winds, including the 5 in Hauts-de-France

THE 5 departments of Hauts-de-France switch to orange alert for violent winds, starting at 12 p.m. this Saturday 4th October. A sixth is included in this same vigilance in France, it is seine-maritime. “Storm Amy is circulating in the British Isles and will generate strong gusts of wind in the departments near the Channel coast”, indicates Météo France.

The west wind strengthens from midday, with strong gusts under stormy showers. On the Channel coast, gusts of around 100 to 120 km/h, or even 130 km/h locally, are expected. Inland, gusts reach 90 to 100 km/h, or even 110 km/h locally.
Météo France

The attenuation of this low pressure episode is expected “for the beginning of the evening”. Storm alert is also running from lunchtime until this evening.

This Saturday afternoon, gusts will therefore reach at least 95 km/h on the Pas-de-Calais coast (in Wissant, Boulogne…) and at least 85 km/h on the northern coast. Inland, the wind will not be less powerful: 95 km/h in Boulonnais, 90 km/h in Artois, 85 km/h in Lens and Arras, 75 km/h Lille and in Flanders… You will have to be very careful.

These gusts will be accompanied by “light” to “stormy” rains (especially in the south of Hauts-de-France). Temperatures will remain generally pleasant, with values between 14 and 15°C.

Speed down on potentially closed roads and parks

The Northern prefecture has taken traffic management measures. Thus, speed is limited on the roads of all Hauts-de-France for vehicles weighing less than 3.5 tonnes:

110 km/h on sections of motorways normally limited to 130 km/h;
90 km/h on sections of motorways and national roads normally limited to 110 km/h.
Prohibition of overtaking maneuvers and limitation of the maximum speed to 80 km/h for motor vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes on all national roads and motorways.

The prefecture reminds you of the basic safety instructions in the face of this type of bad weather:

Stay home as much as possible and be extra careful if you absolutely have to go out;
Beware of falling trees and objects, do not walk in the forest or on the coast
Store or secure sensitive items wind effects and likely to be damaged,particularly in campsites and facilities on the coast;
Do not work on roofs and under no circumstances touch electrical wires that have fallen to the ground;
Protect your home and property exposed to the wind;
Stay attentive with children and the elderly;
Avoid any outdoor sporting activity ,
Don’t go to sea. Do not practice water sports or swim;
On the road, limit your travel and speed, especially if your vehicleor your hitch is sensitive to the effects of wind.

It could be, locally, that public parks and gardens are exceptionally closed. In the metropolis of Lille, for example, the Jardin des cultures and the Plein air museum will keep their doors closed this Saturday afternoon.