Storm Enol has unleashed its fury across France, prompting Météo France to issue multiple weather warnings and significantly disrupting travel and daily life. On December 22, 2024, various regions, particularly northwestern France and the Alps, faced severe conditions characterized by violent winds, heavy snowfall, and avalanche risks, all components of the storm's progression.
According to Météo France's latest updates, 84 departments were under yellow vigilance, with seven regions—including the Côtes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Manche—under orange alert for high winds, and areas like the Isère and Savoie facing snow and avalanche warnings.
Yann Amice, a meteorologist from Weather and Co., noted, "un flux de Nord-Ouest se met en place dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche,” signaling the onset of these turbulent weather patterns. Wind gusts were forecasted to reach up to 130 km/h on the coastal fronts of Normandy and Brittany, complicate efforts for clear travel access and safety for residents.
By Sunday morning, the situation had escalated, as winds nearing 140 km/h particularly impacted the Mediterranean regions, with areas like Corsica at risk. Amice warned, "des rafales pourront atteindre 140 km/h, voire aller au-delà en Corse.”
These extreme conditions have not only posed risks on the ground but have significantly disrupted air travel as well. On the same day, Perpignan-Rivesaltes airport struggled with operational issues, resulting in numerous flight delays and diversions. Flights to and from major airports such as Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and Nice experienced hours of delays due to adverse weather impacting visibility and safety protocols.
Reports confirm various flights, including one from Brussels redirected to Montpellier and another from Marrakech sent to Toulouse, demonstrating the chaos generated by Storm Enol's onset. Passengers were assisted by airport authorities to reprocess their travel plans under challenging weather conditions.
Meanwhile, the SNCF announced the suspension of several regional train services as relentless winds caused safety concerns for rail transport. Of notable mention was the situation along the coasts, with locals advised to stay indoors as gusts reached 100 km/h along the southern shores of Normandy.
Storm Enol symbolizes the impacts of seasonal weather patterns across France, with these episodes of severe weather being both dangerous and disruptive, especially close to holiday seasons when many travel. While storms of this nature are somewhat expected, the extent of damage and disruption it caused highlights the necessity of preparedness and swift responses from public agencies.
Looking forward, meteorologists anticipate the advent of clearer skies as the storm subsides. The winds are expected to ease by December 24, coinciding with the holiday celebrations. For now, authorities remain on alert, ensuring public safety and advising residents to exercise caution until these conditions stabilize.
