Chicago Winter Storm Warning: Less snow, dangerous winds, subzero chills heading into weekend

CHICAGO - A Winter Storm Warning will go into effect for several Chicago-area counties at noon Thursday as the approaching snowstorm gets closer.

The warning, which says there is a "significant threat to property or life," will stay in effect until 6 a.m. Saturday for Cook, DuPage, Kankakee, Lake and Will counties, according to the National Weather Service.

A Blizzard Warning has been issued for Porter County, Indiana beginning at 3 p.m. Thursday through 6 a.m. Saturday. That area is expected to receive higher snow totals closer to 6-8 inches.

Latest on Chicago's winter storm

Snow and possibly some light rain/freezing rain begin tomorrow morning. The highest chance for anything briefly liquid will be east of I-55. 

Snowfall impacts during the morning will be manageable. People will be able to get around. 

Snow intensity picks up during the afternoon as temperatures begin their nosedive from the low 30s to around zero in a couple of hours. Winds will ramp up during this period and really crank at night when the worst travel conditions are likely. 

There is a glimmer of hope: snowfall totals looks MUCH lower on all but one computer model now.  Likely totals are in the 2 to 4 inches range with some heavier stuff possible in northeast Porter County and Michiana. 

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However, this storm will still have very high winds of 35-45 mph which will lead to blowing snow and a "ground blizzard" mainly in outlying areas. 

The magnitude of the temperature drop will be shocking as well tomorrow afternoon.  We will go from 30 degrees to 0 degrees in just a couple of hours and wind chills will be around -20 or lower.  

Friday is looking far less snowy, if any snow falls period.  The storm now looks like it will zip on out of here leaving the gusty winds, blowing snow, and dangerous wind chills with which to contend.  

The holiday weekend will be mostly sunny but frigid.