Hurricane-force winds - Potent storm Ciarán threatens Europe

A powerful storm is approaching the French Atlantic coast and parts of Great Britain. It threatens with over 20-foot high waves, strong wind gusts, and a storm surge. The risk of damage is high.

Originating over the Atlantic, this formidable low pressure system, dubbed Ciarán by the U.K. Met Office, is charting a dangerous path toward Europe. By Thursday night, it's predicted to impact southern England and northern France. Winds up to 150 kilometers per hour (about 93 miles per hour), with even more powerful gusts over exposed areas and the open sea are expected.

Such strong gusts could topple trees, and unsecured objects might become airborne hazards. Authorities are advising people to avoid scaffolding and other potential hazards.

But it's not just the winds; the storm is generating waves that could exceed 12 meters (about 39 feet) high. These monstrous waves are on course to crash into the west coast of France and southern England. Damage and erosion from wave action and storm surge are likely, especially in areas where the strongest winds coincide with local high tide.

Not to be outdone, but weather models are pointing at a second storm system approaching the European continent in the Bay of Biscay late Thursday evening/Friday night. Rapid intensification and gusts exceeding 150 kilometers per hour (93 mph) are also possible with this system.

Folks in portions of southwest France and northern Spain should continue to track this system closely.

By the end of next week, heading towards the middle of the month, there are signs that high pressure may build in to bring calmer conditions for portions of Europe.