Full Notification

* WHAT...For the Winter Storm Warning, heavy lake effect snow. Snow accumulations locally in excess of 6 inches, particularly in areas near the lake. For the Winter Storm Watch, heavy lake effect snow possible, with additional accumulations possible into Saturday morning.

* WHERE...Central Cook and Southern Cook Counties.

* WHEN...For the Winter Storm Warning, until midnight CST tonight. For the Winter Storm Watch, from late tonight through Saturday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult at times, with near white out conditions and snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour under the most intense portions of the band through this evening.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A burst of accumulating snow is expected through early afternoon, with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour at times. This will make for hazardous travel conditions. While a short break in the heavy snow is possible for a period this afternoon, a second round of intense lake effect snow is expected to bring at least a few hour period of snowfall rates up to 2 inches per hour this evening. Finally, the lake effect snow band may shift back westward along the state line and bring another period of heavy lake effect snow for several hours Saturday morning.

* AFFECTED AREAS: CENTRAL COOK ... SOUTHERN COOK

Instructions:

During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from near white out conditions in very heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions. Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.