As a frigid air mass descends upon the central U.S., intense lake-effect snow is expected to hit the Chicago area late Sunday night into Monday as temperatures drop into the 30s, according to forecasters.

The season’s first winter storm watch would remain in effect from late Sunday night into Monday, bringing with it the area’s first snowfall , according to the National Weather Service.

Weather service warned of high rates of snowfall per hour, low visibility and potentially hazardous road conditions during the snowfall.

The storm watch is in effect for Cook County and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana, according to the weather service. The cold airmass was expected to arrive with a storm system Saturday night, bringing periods of snow and much cooler conditions through Monday.

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