By Travis Kellar

tkellar@timesleader.com

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Rainy and gusty winds are expected today and into tonight, but sunshine and mild temperatures are expected in the Wyoming Valley into the midweek.

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for Luzerne and Lackawanna counties from 5 p.m. this evening to 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Winds are expected to increase late this afternoon, with the strongest winds expected into tonight with gusts of up to 50 miles per hour possible.

Wind advisories are issued when sustained wind speeds greater than 30 miles per hour, or gusts over 45 miles per hour, are expected. Winds of that magnitude could cause damage to trees, power lines and weak structures.

Residents are advised to secure all lose objects around their homes, and commuters are advised to keep a firm grip on the wheel.

The forecast

The National Weather Service indicated that it was 44 degrees as of 5:54 a.m. at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, with light rain reported.

Showers are expected before noon today, along with winds that could gust as high as 28 miles per hour. Up to a quarter of an inch of rain is possible, and the high will be near 55.

Mostly cloudy skies are expected tonight, with a low around 34. Winds will also blow up to 22 miles per hour, and gusts as high as 37 miles per hour are possible.

Sunny skies are predicted for Tuesday, with a high near 48. Mostly clear skies will follow into Tuesday night, with a low around 27.

Sunny skies are predicted for Wednesday, with a high near 57. Partly cloudy skies will carry over into Wednesday night, with a low around 43.

Be sure to check out the Times Leader’s weather page for up-to-date forecast information and radar!