A winter storm that's been wreaking havoc on the west coast with feet of snow in some parts of California is now heading toward the Midwest and could bring miserable weather to Illinois and Wisconsin.

According to the current predictions from the Weather Channel, the snow will begin today (Tuesday) across the plains and into parts of the midwest by late tonight.

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While the latest forecast is showing "mainly rain, not snow" for Rockford and Chicago, there's a chance that one or more commutes in Madison, Wisconsin will be affected by the winter storm, according to the Weather Channel.

Up to 8 inches of "heavy wet" snow is possible beginning Wednesday night (1/18) from LaCrosse to the Wisconsin Dells where a Winter Storm Watch will be in effect from 6pm on Wednesday to 3pm on Thursday (1/19).

For the Rockford region there's a chance of rain and snow beginning after 3 pm on Wednesday and continuing through early Thursday morning with less than an inch of snow and sleet accumulation possible, says the National Weather Service.

Rain will develop northward into the area late Wednesday afternoon and continue during the evening. Conditions may initially be cold enough to support a brief period of heavy wet snow and sleet across far northern IL Wednesday evening, particularly near the WI state line. If this occurs, some wet snow accumulation could occur, and potentially result in some minor travel disruptions Wednesday evening. -NWS

After this round of winter weather, another possibility of snow and bitter cold temperatures is in the forcast for Rockford.

According to the current Weather Channel extended forecast for Rockford, morning snow showers are possible next Wednesday, January 25 when high temperatures will only climb into the teens and lows will be in the single-digits.

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