Winter Storm Watch Issued For Cook, Eastern Will Counties

An early taste of winter is on the way to the Chicago area, and a winter storm watch has been issued for Cook and eastern Will counties in Illinois.

Before the winter storm watch goes into effect on Sunday, there is also a chance of snow on Saturday afternoon and evening. There is a low chance that an inch or two of "wet, slushy snow" accumulates, according to the weather service.

The winter storm watch is then in effect from late Sunday night through Monday morning. The weather service said dangerous travel conditions could result from intense lake effect snow.

"Localized snow rates in excess of 2 inches per hour, event snow totals in excess of 6 inches, and northerly wind gusts in excess of 35 mph are possible," the weather said.

Untreated roads, especially bridges and overpasses, may become slick and hazardous.

"The worst conditions are expected late Sunday night through Monday morning, affecting the Monday morning commute," the weather service said.