Another round of lake effect snow that will be potentially very heavy near Lake Michigan prompted winter weather watches and advisories in Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

A quiet, dry day is in store for the Chicago area Thursday, but things will start to change overnight as lake effect snow begins to build in western Michigan, leading to a "prolonged" period of snow for northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana Friday and Saturday.

Indiana is largely being spared from the next round of major snow events, with only light lake-effect snow expected in the northwest corner of the state and minimal snow elsewhere, giving crews time to clear roads and improve travel conditions.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for a portion of Cook County and Lake and Porter counties in Indiana until 6 p.m. Friday, with snow totals ranging from 1 to 9 inches depending on the area.

Winter weather is firmly in place across Indiana, where lake-effect snow in the northern portion of the state can create sharp differences in accumulation.