Editor's Note: The latest list of school closures and our updated story for Friday, Jan. 12 can be found here. Our original story continues below.
Dozens of Chicago-area schools have already reported they are planning to close or switch to e-learning Friday as a powerful winter storm is expected to arrive overnight.
According to the Emergency Closing Center, District 109 in Indian Springs and Brookwood District 167 in Glenwood moved to e-learning for Friday. St. Anastasia, a private school in Waukegan, will be closed Friday, the ECC reported, as will the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.
The ECC also reported all locations of Joliet Junior College will move to e-learning Friday and Saturday because of the impending weather.
"Due to winter weather conditions, JJC will be open for virtual services only on Friday, Jan. 12 and Saturday, Jan. 13," a Facebook post from the school read.
In a post on their website, Chicago Public Schools said "if heavy snow or extreme cold make it dangerous for students to travel to and from school, CPS may need to cancel classes."
Here's how to check if your child's school is closed
There's an easy way to track school closings across the state from public schools to private schools to daycares and more. The Emergency Closing Center lists closures of Chicago-area schools, businesses, daycare centers and other organizations.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.
Go here to find the full list of Chicago school closings.
You can also navigate to the list from the NBC Chicago homepage menu, under the "weather" section, click on "school closings."
Winter storm warnings issued
Much of the Chicago area will be under a winter storm warning as another significant snow system moves in this week, bringing the potential for several inches of snow and dangerous, "blizzard-like" travel conditions for some.
The timing and what the warning calls for will depend on where you live.
DeKalb, McHenry, Kane and DuPage counties: Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Warns of accumulations in excess of 8 inches and wind gusts of up to 45 mph.
LaSalle, Kendall, southern Cook, Will and Grundy counties: Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Warns of snow accumulations higher than 6 inches and wind gusts exceeding 45 mph.
Lake (IL), northern Cook and central Cook counties: Winter storm warning from 3 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Warns of accumulations in excess of 8 inches, with highest totals away from the lakefront, and wind gusts of up to 45 mph.
Kenosha County, Wisconsin: Winter storm warning from 6 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday. Warns of snow accumulations between 3 and 7 inches along the lakeshore and between 6 and 11 inches inland. Wind gusts as high as 45 mph.
LaPorte County, Indiana: Winter storm warning from 9 a.m. CT Friday to 6 p.m. CT Saturday. Warns of 4-8 inches of snow and winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
Kankakee County in Illinois and Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties in Indiana: Winter weather advisory from midnight Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Warns of snow totals between 2 and 5 inches and winds gusting up to 50 mph.
Treacherous travel expected
One of the largest threats with the system will be for travelers.
"Travel could be very difficult to impossible," the storm warning states. "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute." "
The alert warns of snow rates that could exceed 1 inch per hour at times, paired with wind gusts of up to 45 mph, particularly for Friday evening, which could mean blowing snow and "very low visibility."
Most areas will see snow moving in from the southwest during the overnight hours early Friday morning.
