Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Thanksgiving weekend — and especially travel back home — could now be marred by snow.

According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, a Winter Storm Warning will be in effect for a good portion of Illinois, including the Springfield area, from late Friday night until late Saturday night in some areas, early Sunday morning in others.

Forecasters say at least six inches of snow will fall through most of Saturday, and the snowfall could be heavy at times.  Areas north of central Illinois could receive even more.

As a result, forecasters discourage any travel for about a 24 hour period starting late Friday.

“If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility,” said the Weather Service, in a forecast advisory.  They also recommend slowing down, leaving plenty of distance between you and the car in front of you, and avoid sudden braking.”

The forecast calls for some of the snow Saturday night to change to rain in Springfield, which could make conditions all the more worse.

Highs will be once again below freezing starting on Sunday, at least through the middle of next week, according to the Weather Service.

Stay with Newstalk 93.9 & AM 1240 WTAX, our news partners at WAND-TV, and CapitolCityNow.com for the latest.