A Winter Storm Watch will be in effect throughout the entire Chicago area, beginning Thursday evening through early Saturday morning.

The watch will be in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday and lasts until 6 a.m. Saturday.

SEE ALSO: Late week system may bring significant snow to Chicago area

Portions of central, east central, north central, northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana will also be under watch.

Blizzard conditions are possible with 55mph gusts. Power outages and low-to-zero visibility are likely, making travel conditions extremely difficult.

For the latest weather updates, check out the WGN Weather blog.

Additional details include bitterly cold wind chills as low as 25 degrees below zero. Expected wind chills could also cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes on exposed skin.

Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

WGN meteorologist Morgan Kolkmeyer says that while the storm is still days out, the early warning is a ‘heads up’ to those traveling for the holidays this coming Thursday and Friday.