NWS: Chicago could get 8 inches of snow this weekend

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch for the weekend, warning that up to 8 inches of snow could blanket parts of the Chicago area starting Saturday night.

Snow is expected to start falling Saturday evening and continue through late Sunday night, according to the weather service. Snowfall totals between 6 and 8 inches are possible in the south suburbs, with heavier accumulations predicted further north.

Areas south of I-80 have lower predicted snowfall totals but could see a mix of rain and snow on Sunday, creating potentially slushy roads, the weather service said. Snowy roads and reduced visibility could make travel hazardous throughout the region.

The winter storm watch extends across all of northern Illinois, including Cook, Will, Kane, Kendall, DuPage, Lake and McHenry counties; and Lake and Porter counties in northwest Indiana.

Temperatures will drop to about 18 Friday night, with a high of 24 Saturday and a low of 23 Saturday night. The snow will start as temperatures begin to rise, reaching a high of 32 Sunday and 33 on Monday.

Chance of snow is about 80 percent Saturday night and Sunday, 50 percent Sunday night and 30 percent on Monday.