Strong winds expected midweek

Low pressure will be strengthening as it moves into southern Illinois Wednesday afternoon and evening.  As a result, surface winds will be increasing from the East and Northeast through Wednesday evening.  Sustained winds around 20 mph will gust near 30 mph Wednesday afternoon, but increase to 35 mph Wednesday evening and overnight.  Peak wind gusts through mid-day Thursday could reach near 40 mph, while peak wind gusts closer to Lake Michigan could exceed 50 mph.

The wind machine will die down by Friday morning with incoming high pressure.  So if garbage day is either Wednesday or Thursday, you may be chasing your garbage cans down your street.