Winter Storm Warning For Chicago Area: 6 To 10 Inches Of Snow Expected

A winter storm is set to hit the Chicago area on Saturday, bringing total snow accumulations between 6 and 10 inches, with locally higher amounts possible, the National Weather Service shared.

A winter storm warning has been issued for McHenry, Lake, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Cook and Will counties from 3 a.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.

A winter storm watch remains in effect southeast of a Bloomington to Valparaiso, Indiana, line.

The snow will begin late Friday night, and start to pick up in intensity after daybreak, the weather service said.

"The Saturday afternoon period is looking like the period of peak snow rates, at least across southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana," the weather service said on its Facebook.

Snow rates of .5 inches to 1 inch per hour are expected during daylight hours on Saturday, the weather service said.

Snow will taper after sunset Saturday.

According to the weather service, there is still a chance for snow to mix with or change to drizzle later on Saturday near and east of Interstate 55, but this "will be after the damage is done, and most snow is already on the ground."

The weather service advised that if you must travel, bring an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Impacted interstates may include I-39, I-55, I-57, I-74, I-80, I-88, I-90, I-94 and any local expressways and highways.

According to the weather service, there are also "a few more opportunities for fluffy snow as we head into next week."