The essentials
Storm Austen brought recorded gusts of up to 140 km/h and numerous reported tree falls across France.
Wind gusts of 120 to 140 km/h were recorded overnight on the Breton and western Manche coasts. In Finistère, gusts of 90 to 110 km/h were recorded over the same period.
Numerous trees have fallen across France during Storm Austen. The available reports do not give the number of trees affected, their locations, or any resulting injuries or property damage.
Austen is the first autumn storm of the year, and it is hitting vegetation that was weakened by summer drought. The reports describe this condition but do not state whether or how it contributed to the tree falls.
The gust figures are recorded readings for specific areas, and conditions may differ at other points along the coast.
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Gust readings from Brittany and Finistère show wide regional variation
Recorded gusts ranged from 120 to 140 km/h on the Breton and western Manche coasts and from 90 to 110 km/h in Finistère overnight. The difference between these ranges shows that wind strength varied across the region. The reports cover only these locations, so the full spatial pattern of the storm's winds remains unclear from the available information.
Tree falls across France mark the storm's visible toll so far
Numerous trees have fallen across France during Storm Austen, according to the reports. The storm is the first of the autumn season and is affecting vegetation already weakened by summer drought. The reports do not quantify the damage, identify specific sites, or describe the full extent of harm to property or people at this stage.