Hold on to your hats, folks. Metro-east under wind advisory this afternoon.

Metro-east residents should expect a partly sunny Wednesday with a high around 84 degrees — but, winds may gust up to 44 mph as the area will be put on a wind advisory from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service forecasts a 40 percent chance of rain before midnight with a low around 66 degrees. Winds should decrease in the evening hours, but could still gust up to 33 mph.

This week’s forecast for the metro-east from the National Weather Service:

Today ... Partly sunny, with a high near 84 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 44 mph.

Tonight ... A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 66 degrees. Breezy, with a south wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph.

Thursday ... Mostly sunny, with a high near 86 degrees. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Thursday Night ... A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63 degrees. South wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday ... A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79 degrees. East wind 5 to 7 mph.

Friday Night ... Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday ... Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Saturday Night ... A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63 degrees.

Sunday ... A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 degrees. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday Night ... A 30 percent chance of showers before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 55 degrees.

Monday ... Mostly sunny, with a high near 74 degrees.

Monday Night ... Partly cloudy, with a low around 56 degrees.

Tuesday ... A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73 degrees.

This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 6:17 AM with the headline "Hold on to your hats, folks. Metro-east under wind advisory this afternoon.."