The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are warning people about the winter storm predicted for areas across central Illinois on Wednesday.

A winter weather advisory goes into effect from 9 a.m. until 3 a.m. on Thursday. The heaviest of the snow is expected between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Another winter storm is unleashing its fury across the central U.S., bringing heavy snow and ice to portions of the Plains and Midwest, forcing officials to close state offices and schools and prompting warnings to delay travel if possible.

Some in the Chicago area were waking up Tuesday morning to light flurries as a weak cold front passed through parts of Northeast Illinois, with a dusting or a coating of snow possible on area roadways,