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Three departments in northwest France have been placed under an orange weather alert for 鈥渧iolent winds鈥� this morning (October 20).

Manche, Finist猫re and Morbihan are also on a yellow warning for heavy rain, storms and powerful waves, which are set to hit the coastline from 18:00, lasting into the early hours of Thursday.

Today, 66 other departments in northern and central France have also been put on a yellow warning for strong winds and heavy rain.

The wind is not currently particularly powerful in the three departments on orange alert, but an area of low pressure is moving in a west-southwesterly direction over southern England.

This will result in strong winds on France鈥檚 Atlantic coastline beginning around 15:00, which will then push inland, affecting the northern half of the country.

Finist猫re and Morbihan can expect winds of 100-110km/h, which could reach 120km/h in some areas. In Manche, gusts of 110-120km/h 鈥� and even up to 130km/h in some areas 鈥� are forecast.

Further inland, winds of 90-100km/h are predicted by .

Later this evening, the wind will move progressively east, affecting other coastal departments in Normandy.

The orange alert currently in place will last until 03:00 tomorrow morning.

Do I need to do anything?

An orange weather warning calls for local residents to be 鈥渧ery vigilant鈥� of the situation.

People living in orange alert areas may be affected by power cuts and telephone line problems.

Traffic may also be slowed by broken branches and debris blocking the road and property could be damaged by the wind.

Residents are therefore advised to secure any possessions that are exposed to the elements and to keep up to date with the situation as it unfolds.

M茅t茅o France also recommends that people try to stay at home or inside a building if possible.

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