Minus 30 Wind Chill, ?Significant Winter Storm? To Hit Chicago Area

ILLINOIS ? A major winter storm is still expected in the Chicago area, and blizzard conditions are possible, especially late Thursday, according to the National Weather Service ? and dangerous cold will also be part of the winter weather headed to Illinois.

The weather service has issued a winter storm watch for the Chicago area, which goes into effect at 6 p.m. Thursday and lasts until 6 a.m. Saturday.

Falling and blowing snow could cause "white-out conditions" with zero visibility at times, the weather service said.

In addition to the snow, wind gusts up to 55 mph are possible, as well as dangerous cold temperatures as low as 25 to 30 below zero likely on Thursday night and Friday, according to the weather service.

Frostbite could occur in as few as 10 to 20 minutes, the weather service said. The cold temperatures will continue through the holiday weekend as well.

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The weather service has not given anticipated snow totals, as the track of the storm could change. Since Monday, the weather service said has there will be a slightly faster arrival of "deteriorating conditions" on Thursday.

AccuWeather said the cold, winds and blowing snow will continue to make for "horrendous travel conditions" on Christmas Eve and even into Christmas Day across the Midwest.

The weather service said it will next give an update on the coming storm on Tuesday afternoon at 4 p.m.