11 Feb 2009

High winds force closure of Paris airports

2:46 pm on 11 February 2009

High winds have buffeted France, forcing the closure of the capital's two international airports for the first time in 34 years.

Winds gusting up to 130km/h were recorded on France's Atlantic coast, and forecasters say they could reach up to 160 km/h.

As gusts of 100km/h hit the Paris region, authorities closed the capital's two international airports overnight.

Ferry sailings, some across the Channel, have also been halted.

The extreme weather comes just two weeks after a storm left 11 dead in the southwest of the country.