Lake-effect snow watch issued

The National Weather Service has issued a lake-effect snow watch for the region from today through Saturday afternoon.

Forecasters predict up to 5 inches of snow is possible to accumulate in Cook County while up to 7 inches could fall on the southern suburbs. Northern Lake and Porter counties could see up to 8 inches, officials said.

Along with the snowfall, brutal temperatures are forecast. Tonight, lows are forecast at 10 degrees, with wind chills of 10 below zero by Saturday morning.

Winds from the north to northeast are expected to focus the snow along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Chicago on Friday before it moves into Lake and Porter counties overnight. The winds will move snow bands east of Porter County early Saturday afternoon, forecasters said, but no watches have been issued for LaPorte County.