UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning in Effect Today

Update, 12:09 p.m. Thursday: The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that will be in effect from 3 p.m. today until 3 a.m. Friday. According to the National Weather Service office in Chicago, the heaviest snow in the Chicago area is expected to fall between 5 and 9 p.m. Between 2 and 6 inches of snow could fall.

Update, 10:54 a.m. Wednesday: The National Weather Service just issued a winter storm watch for Lake County. Watches are also in effect for Cook and McHenry Counties, while there are winter storm and blizzard warnings further west in northern Illinois.

According to the National Weather Service office in Chicago, "current indications are that totals of 2 to 6 inches are likely, with the higher amounts favored to be in the north and northwest suburbs of Chicago."

Winds are expected to reach 30 to 40 miles per hour Thursday afternoon, with gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour.

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Original story, 10:17 a.m.: While winter storm watches and warnings, along with blizzard warnings, have been issued for many counties in northern Illinois for Thursday, Lake County has not yet been included in the watch or warning areas.

Here's what the National Weather Service forecast says for Dec. 20:

Thursday: Occasional rain before 3pm, then rain and snow. Some thunder is also possible. Temperature rising to near 43 by 11am, then falling to around 36 during the remainder of the day. Very windy, with a east wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest 25 to 35 mph. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Thursday night: Snow with areas of blowing snow before midnight, then areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow after midnight. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Very windy, with a northwest wind 30 to 40 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.

Check out the National Weather Service Chicago office's multimedia weather briefing.

We'll provide updates when they become available.