Winter weather with ice, snow, freezing rain and sleet was expected to ramp up by 6 p.m., Roman said, with winter conditions overspreading the entire Chicago area from around 8 p.m. through midnight. Roman noted 6 p.m. through midnight Wednesday was "peak timing" for freezing rain, sleet and icy roads.

Freezing rain could lead to hazardous travel conditions across the entire Chicago area, especially during "peak timing" of the winter weather system.