How much snow can we expect in the Chicago area?

CHICAGO (CBS) — A weather warning comes into effect Wednesday evening for snow squalls that could bring damaging winds, poor visibility and slick roads on your evening commute. Here’s what you can expect.

CBS News Chicago meteorologists are tracking a powerful cold front that will sweep through Chicagoland late Wednesday afternoon. After temperatures briefly rose above freezing for the first time in six days, a period of freezing cold returns starting Wednesday night as wind chills fall below freezing.

Along and just behind the front, a few short-lived bursts of heavy snow are expected across the area between 3 and 7 p.m. The most likely time for snow in Chicago is during the evening commute between 4 and 6 p.m

Snow squalls can reduce visibility on your evening drive, bring wind gusts to 50 mph, and cause rapid but light accumulation of snow on the roads, creating dangerous driving conditions. There are indications some neighborhoods could experience damaging wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour, enough to down tree branches and cause local power outages.

A wind warning is in effect from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Most areas can expect up to 0.5 inches of snow by late Wednesday evening. La Porte County, Indiana will see lake effect snow through most of Thursday, potentially resulting in 3 to 5 inches of snow accumulation.

A winter weather warning is in effect until late Thursday evening.