Chicago and the surrounding area are bracing for a major snowstorm that is expected to bring significant accumulations of snow on Friday. Meteorologists are forecasting up to a foot of snow to be dumped on the city, accompanied by frigid temperatures near zero degrees.

The National Weather Service has labeled this winter weather system as an "impactful round of snow accumulation," which is slated to arrive overnight on Thursday and persist through Friday. While earlier in the week Chicago managed to escape a snowstorm relatively unscathed, this upcoming weather system is predicted to directly hit the city, according to meteorologists.

Accuweather meteorologist Tom Kines stated that as of Wednesday morning, forecasts indicate a range of eight to twelve inches of snowfall for Chicago. However, areas along the lakefront might experience slightly lesser accumulations. The most intense period of snowfall is expected to occur late Friday afternoon and continue into the night.

Kines emphasized the inevitable need for snow removal, stating, "No matter the way you cut it, we're going to be shoveling snow." Additionally, he warned that travel on Friday evening could be highly challenging, if not completely impossible.

The National Weather Service is scheduled to release its official snowfall forecast on Wednesday afternoon, providing more precise details on expected snow totals.

Alongside heavy snowfall, strong winds are forecasted to intensify on Friday and persist into Saturday, reducing visibility and making snow accumulation measurements more difficult. Saturday's temperatures may plummet into the teens, while Sunday is expected to be bitterly cold, with temperatures reaching near zero degrees. When factoring in high winds, the wind chill could make it feel as low as 20 degrees below zero, exacerbating the already harsh conditions.

This weekend’s severe weather represents a stark shift from the unseasonably warm winter Chicago has experienced thus far. Kines warned that there is no mild weather in sight, adding, "If there's one silver lining out of this, we shouldn't have to deal with any more snowstorms in the days after Friday."

Chicago residents are advised to prepare for the impending snowstorm by stocking up on necessary supplies, staying indoors if possible, and exercising caution if traveling is unavoidable.