School closures: More than 100 Chicago-area schools closed for major winter storm

More than 100 Chicago-area schools, colleges and daycares were closed Wednesday as the first major winter storm is set to move in, with upwards of six inches of snow or more possible and significant travel impacts expected.

The snow is expected to ramp up beginning at around 9 a.m., when a winter weather advisory will go into effect. According to NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman, a four-to-six hour period of non-stop snow was expected in the afternoon, with as much as an inch per-hour of snowfall possible.

Live radar: Track snow, road conditions across the Chicago area as storm arrives

Dozens of schools across the city and suburbs announced closures or shifts to e-learning in anticipation of the storm, including Buffalo Grove, Lemont, Skokie, Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, Oak Park, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Downers Grove, Crete, Zion and more.

Some government buildings and attractions also announced closures due to the weather, including Palatine Township Hall. In DuPage, the Children's Museum will close early due to the expected snowfall, a post said.

As of 6 a.m. Wednesday, Chicago Public Schools had not announced any closures and was expected to be open.

A running list of school closures from the Emergency Closing Center can be found here.

Snow timing: When, what time will the weather be the worst?

Around 8 a.m., Chicago's western counties will start to see the snow move in, NBC 5 Meteorologist Alicia Roman said, with snow picking up as the morning goes on.

At 9 a.m., a winter weather advisory will go into effect for the entire Chicago area and Northwest Indiana, the National Weather Service said. The advisory is not set to expire until 3 a.m.

"If you don’t have the flexibility to stay home later today, plan ahead for much longer travel times," the NWS warned.

Between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., heavy, steady snow was expected to fall, Roman said, with an inch of snow per hour possible. By around 6 p.m., the snow will gradually taper off, with some lingering flurries through midnight. South of I-80, a wintry mix with freezing drizzle was possible.

Afternoon and evening commutes were expected to be impacted.

"The heavier, more impactful snow will last around 4-6 hours in any given location," the NWS said, "Resulting in quickly deteriorating travel conditions."

How much snow will we get and where?

On average, the majority of the Chicago area can expect to see between four and five inches of snow, NBC 5 Meteorologist Kevin Jeanes said.

South of I-80, where temperatures will be warmer, between two and four inches of snow was possible, along with a wintry mix and freezing rain.

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The "bullseye" spot with the highest snow totals of around six inches or even more was northern Lake County, Jeanes said, just south of Waukegan and into Milwaukee.

According to the NWS, a winter storm warning was in effect beginning at 12 p.m. Wednesday for southern Wisconsin including Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha, with total snow accumulations between five and nine inches possible.

"Travel could be very difficult," the NWS warned. "The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening commute."

Another snow system ahead

Wednesday's system is the first of two rounds of snow expected this week, Roman said.

While Thursday into Friday morning will be dry, snow will develop again Friday afternoon and evening, Roman said.

"Right as the afternoon and evening commute gets underway," Roman said, of the timing. "Continuing all night long and into Saturday morning."

That system could result in an additional two to five inches of snow accumulation, Roman said.

After that, temperatures turn much colder, with highs in the 20s and teens, Roman added.