Update: Winter Storm Warning In Effect Until Friday Afternoon

A winter storm warning will be in effect until 3 p.m. Friday, the National Weather Service is reporting. 

Rain will change to snow from west to east late Thursday afternoon, with some heavy snow. The heaviest snow and lowest visibility should be between 5 and 9 p.m. in the area. 

According to NWS, two to six inches of snow are likely, with the highest amounts across the far north and northwest suburbs. 

Winds will be up to 30-40 mph with gusts as high as 60 mph.

"The combination of the intense snowfall and very strong winds will result in greatly reduced visibilities and possibly near blizzard conditions. Falling temperatures will cause roads to become snow covered and (make) travel treacherous. This will likely impact the evening rush hour. The strong winds may also result in minor damage and sporadic power outages," according to the NWS statement.

Original story

Hang on to your hat! It's going to be one crazy weather day Thursday.

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It will start with occasional rain and temperatures reaching 45 by 11 a.m., according to the forecast for this area by the National Weather Service, based in Romeoville. By late afternoon, though, temps will be plummeting to 35 and a stong wind from the northwest -- with gusts ranging from 25 to 60 mph -- will kick in, forecasters say.

Snow accumulation could reach two to six inches, with heavier snow occurring overnight. Temps will fall even further, down to about 23 by Friday morning, the forecast says.

A winter storm watch will be in effect early Thursday evening throughout the night, with a chance of thunderstorms. A winter storm watch "means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel." The wind could cause white-out conditions, the forecast says.

The weather service is still not predicting how much accumulation we might receive locally; generally, it could be as much as six inches in the north and northwest suburbs and possibly two to three inches to the south.

For Friday and the rest of the weekend, expect upper 20s to low 30s during the day and 17 to 22 degrees at night, forecasters say.