Hang onto your hat! Winds up to 55 mph expected this evening

If you thought today was windy, just wait until tonight.

Winds as high as 55 mph are expected to blow through Will and Grundy counties tonight starting 8 p.m. Wednesday and continue through 3 a.m. Thursday, according to Kevin Donofrio, meterologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville.

If a line of showers move through the area around 11 p.m. or midnight, winds could briefly increase to 75 mph, Donofrio said.

“That’s not likely to occur but it is a possibility.,” Donofrio said.

Residents should bring any loose items inside to keep them from blowing, Donofrio said.

“These are the type of winds that can knock small tree limbs down,” Donofrio added. “If we see the stronger gusts, they can knock down branches and cause power outages.”

Donofrio said tornado activity is not expected in Will and Grundy counties.

“The main hazard is that vehicles can be jarred around,” Donofrio said.

The National Weather Service Facebook page said on Wednesday that gusts and temperatures will drop on Thursday. Expect winds up to 45 mph in the morning, the National Weather Service said.