Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – What was to be a Winter Storm Watch for the Springfield area is now a Winter Storm Warning.

According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Winter Storm Warning will now be in effect from midnight Friday night, until 6 a.m. Sunday.  Some counties south of Springfield will still be under a Winter Storm Watch, but most of Northern and Central Illinois is now under the warning.

Forecasters say as much as five inches of snow is possible Saturday, and it could be heavy at times.  Some of the precipitation later Saturday afternoon could be rain, potentially making conditions worse.

The Weather Service advises against travel on Saturday, but to use extreme caution if driving is necessary.  They also suggest slowing down, giving plenty of distance between vehicles, and consider packing an emergency kit to leave in your vehicle.

It’s believed that bridges and overpasses will be slick and cause potentially dangerous travel.

Areas to the north of Springfield are expected to get more than five inches of snow.

WTAX, our news partners at WAND-TV, and CapitolCityNow.com will have more details as conditions warrant.