Major Autumn Storm Could Bring 60 mph Wind Gusts Wednesday

Heavy storms could could produce wind gusts between 45 and 57 mph Wednesday in the suburbs, according to the National Weather Service.

A wind advisory will take effect at 6 p.m. Wednesday and continue through Thursday at 6 p.m. for DuPage, Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kendall, Kane, Will and Boone counties.

Gusts could result in property damage unless precautions are taken and could make driving difficult, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory indicates sustained winds of 30 to 39 mph are expected.

The storm could produce some isolated thunderstorms as a strong cold front moves across the region.

The threat includes stretches from San Antonio to Chicago to Cincinnati and could affect 63 million people, according to NBC Chicago.

City of Elmhurst crew members are checking low lying areas and cleaning inlets. Elmhurst residents are asked to frequently check inlets near their homes and consider removing leaves and debris.

WGN Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling said the storm headed toward the region is in league with formidable predecessors. It was 40 years ago this week when a “November Witch” sunk the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior.

There is a slight chance some of the heavier storms in the Chicago suburbs could produce wind gusts of 50 to 60 mph. Very strong winds are also likely Thursday.

Temperatures could reach into the 60s throughout the day on Veterans Day.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency is encouraging people to act quickly if tornado warnings or severe storm warnings are issued.

Wireless Emergency Alerts are available on most smartphones under ‘Government Alerts.’ Make sure ‘Emergency Alerts’ is turned on to receive tornado and flash flood warnings in your area. The American Red Cross also has a tornado app.

• Check the National Weather Service website for more updates.

Patch editors AMIE SCHAENZER and LORRAINE SWANSON contributed to this article.