Last-minute Christmas shoppers beware.
Chicago could see heavy snowfall Christmas Eve. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch covering the entire metro area lasting from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
A powerful storm is expected to sweep through portions of the midwest Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. The exact track of the system is still uncertain, but it appears likely that the Chicago area will see some heavy, wet snow Wednesday.
"We aren't sure where it's going to set up but wherever it does go, there will probably be heavy snow falling beneath it," National Weather Service Meteorologist Casey Sullivan said.
The storm will first present with rain but will switch to snow at some point, Sullivan said.
"It's too difficult to pin down where that's going to occur. Whether it's in Western Suburbs ... to Gary, the (Interstate) 65 corridor," Sullivan said. "That's why there's a watch out for the metro area. Hopefully tonight into tomorrow morning we can narrow down where that's going to fall.
Many areas are expected to see up to 2 inches of snow, but some areas could see 3 to 7 inches, with snow falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
The most intense parts of the system could even include thunder and lightning, National Weather Service meterologist Mark Ratzer said.
That could make for nasty conditions for commuting - and shopping - Christmas Eve. So should Chicagoans aim to finish their Christmas shopping beforehand?
"That would probably be a good idea," Razer said.
Ratzer said meterologists should have a better idea exactly where the storm is heading by Tuesday afternoon.