The next several days will show us just how spoiled we've gotten this winter.
Snow or snow showers are in the forecast from Friday night through at least Tuesday, when an Alberta clipper will "dig across the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, bringing a decent shot of accumulating snow," according to the National Weather Service.
The service issued a hazardous weather outlook for north central and northeastern parts of the state and northwest Indiana.
Officials said a mix of wintry precipitation is expected to begin overnight with minor ice accumulations likely south of Interstate 80 with minor snow accumulation possible to the north.
Minor snow accumulation is expected to continue in north central Illinois on Saturday afternoon and evening. Snow is expected for Saturday evening and lasting through early Sunday.
By Sunday night, temperatures are expected to fall below zero for the first time this season, with wind chills as low as 25 degrees below. Wednesday is expected to be the worst, with daytime temperatures around 6 above before falling to 10 below at night.
The week will be a sharp contrast to last month, which tied for the least snowy December on record. Temperatures were also relatively mild.
WGN-TV meteorologist Tom Skilling's look ahead:
• Friday: Afternoon highs in the low to mid-30s. Clouds increase and lower overnight - a chance of rain or freezing rain spreading into southernmost sections of the area toward morning. Winds pick up out of the southeast.
• Saturday: A wintry mix of freezing rain and some ice pellets develops from the south during the morning, then precipitation diminishes somewhat during the afternoon. Winds strengthen out of the northwest and turning colder overnight with precipitation changing over to light snow.
• Sunday: Mostly cloudy, blustery northwest winds gusting over 30 mph and colder with occasional snow showers - heavier snow showers across the Indiana and Michigan snowbelt.
• Monday: Highest temperatures struggle to reach double digits. Clouding over at night with a good chance of accumulating snow after midnight. Southerly winds.
• Tuesday: Scattered snow showers in the afternoon. Highs in the teens with subzero wind chills. Overnight skies clear to the west and very cold, but heavier snow showers continue across the Indiana and Michigan snowbelt.
• Wednesday: Highest temperatures in the single digits with wind chills well below zero. Clear and cold most of the area overnight with lows below zero. North to northwest winds.
