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With the first snow of the season -- in the middle of fall -- the Chicago area looked like a snow globe.

Overnight and early Monday morning, a winter storm dumped heavy, lake effect snow to many parts, including between six and 12 inches in some parts. But other areas, especially to the west saw "barely a dusting."

"Quite the snowstorm, depending on where you live," NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Pete Sack said.

According to Sack, isolated areas in Lake and Kankakee Counties in Illinois, parts of northwest Indiana and parts of southeast Wisconsin were "bullseyes" for where the most snow fell, with other parts spared. Later Monday morning, snowflakes were continuing to fall in Chicago as a plume of lake effect snow was winding its way through.

Those flakes were expected to continue falling through about 12 p.m. in Illinois, Sack said, bringing between one and two inches of additional accumulation. After that, it will move into northwest Indiana, where a before bringing more snow into northwest Indiana.

"Expect additional accumulations up to 1-3 inches (with localized higher amounts) in addition to reduced visibility and hazardous travel," the National National Weather Service said. "Use caution if traveling in northwest IN."

As sunshine moves in, temperatures Monday would be cold, Sack said, with a high of 35 degrees and an even colder wind chill. Overnight, clear skies were expected, with a slight chance of rain and snow for the morning commute.

"Then, we start to warm-up," Sack said. "Slowly but surely, we'll climb out of the deep freeze we've been in."

As the snow continues, here's a look at where snow totals stand, according to the National Weather Service, as of 11 a.m.

Winter has arrived.

A winter storm warning is in effect with forecasters predicting intense snowfall at a potential rate of more than three inches an hour in the most intense bands, according to the National Weather Service.

The winter storm warning includes Cook, Lake eastern Will and Kankakee counties in Illinois. Northwest Indiana is also included in the warning. DuPage County is under a winter storm advisory.

The exact amount of snow could vary greatly across the region, but the latest forecasts have parts of Chicago with high probability of receiving 6 inches or more of accumulation. Areas closer to the lake will see higher totals.

Intense lake effect snow is expected Sunday night into Monday, making travel conditions in the area “dangerous to impossible,” according to the weather service. The Monday morning commute will be especially hard hit.

The most intense lake effect snow is expected to fall in Illinois between 11 p.m. Sunday through 3 p.m. Monday. In Indiana, it will last through 6 p.m. Monday.

Flurries fell Sunday morning across parts of the Chicago area, a precursor to “intense” snowfall forecast to start in the evening in communities surrounding Lake Michigan.

“This band is going to drop some very heavy snow and some hairy scenarios for the Monday morning commute,” said weather service meteorologist Kevin Doom in Romeoville, Illinois.

In Indiana, weather experts predicted up to 11 inches of snow and “slippery surfaces” for road travel. Up to 6 inches of snow were predicted in parts of Wisconsin.

Weather experts also issued special guidance for gardeners, saying the freeze warning means the growing season has ended.

“Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold,” warned meteorologists in Arkansas.

The Associated Press contributed. This is a developing story.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Our latest story on the winter storm as of Monday morning can be found here. Our original story continues below.

The Chicago area got its first taste of snowfall on Sunday, but things are about to get a lot worse in coming hours.

A winter storm warning has been issued for Cook and Kankakee counties, along with eastern Will County in Illinois, along with Lake, Porter and LaPorte counties in northwest Indiana.

That warning comes as an intense burst of lake-effect snow, fueled by warm lake water temperatures and a huge inflow of moisture, hammers the area, with snowfall rates of several inches per hour possible at times.

Here’s what you need to know about the hours ahead.

Late Sunday Night

After a cloudy afternoon and evening, the first hints of lake-effect snow will begin pushing onshore in Cook County, with light snow expected at first.

Slowly but surely that snow will begin to become more widespread as the clock turns to Monday morning, impacting travel and potentially causing visibility issues thanks to gusty winds, which will persist through much of the storm.

Early Monday Morning

That lake-effect snow will continue becoming more widespread, with wind chills remaining frigid in the mid-to-upper teens, according to forecast models.

Travel impacts could become more widespread as the morning moves along, with wind-whipped snow and heavy accumulations causing dangerous conditions on roadway, especially near the city of Chicago.

Monday Morning After Sunrise

The heaviest of the snow is expected around daybreak, with the potential existing for several inches of snow to fall per hour, according to forecast models.

If that happens, snow plows will be unable to keep up with the snowfall, making for impassable conditions and the potential risk for stranded vehicles on roadways.

Motorists are urged to avoid travel in the most-impacted areas if at all possible until the system begins to slide off to the east.

Snow will start to push into northwest Indiana in the late morning, but the heaviest snow won’t arrive until the early afternoon along a line stretching from Lake to LaPorte counties, according to forecast models.

Wind chills will remain frigid, with feels-like readings in the 20s possible.

The Chicago area will see gradual clearing, with temperatures in the 30s and gusty winds still potentially causing some issues with visibility.

Snowfall will come to an end across the entire area, but temperatures are still expected to be on the cold side, with lows in the 20s overnight into Tuesday morning, according to forecast models.

Temperatures will warm slightly under partly-to-mostly sunny skies, with highs in the low-to-mid 40s across the area.

Temperatures are expected to rise again into the upper-40s and low-50s, potentially fueling snowmelt before even warmer temperatures arrive for the weekend, with highs potentially soaring back into the upper-50s or even the low-60s by Saturday.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Parts of the Chicago area could see multiple inches of snow accumulate on Sunday evening into Monday morning.

A lake-effect snow band is expected to set up in or around northwest Indiana on Sunday and will continue into the evening hours and Monday morning.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Cook and Will counties from midnight to 6 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service said.

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for Indiana's Lake and Porter counties from midnight to noon Monday, the NWS said.

It is possible that the snow band could impact only parts of northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan, but it could also drift back toward Chicago and northeast Illinois.

ABC7 meteorologists have issued an AccuWeather Alert for Monday, as the possible snowfall could create dangerous travel conditions during the morning commute.

Sunday night into Monday morning, snow could fall at a rate of 2 inches per hour in some areas. Some models show 1-3 inches of snow accumulating, while others show up to 6 inches of snow possible.

Light, on-and-off snow showers could linger through the afternoon hours Monday, said AccuWeather Meteorologist Jaisol Martinez.

But before the lake-effect snow band sets up, scattered snow and rain shows are expected on Saturday night.

Temperatures will take a dip into the 30s on Sunday, with gusty winds up to 35 mph making it feel like it is in the 20s.

No accumulation is expected during the daytime hours on Sunday. Although, there could be some slush on some grassy surfaces, but only if we see some heavier snow showers, said AccuWeather Meteorologist Larry Mowry.

Temperatures will drop into the 20s on Sunday night area wide.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Ages & Levels - American Music Institute // Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, St Charles, Geneva, IL // Schedule Trial Lesson Today

American Music Institute - located in Chicago and western suburbs, currently has these music teachers available: Olivia Tsai, Jordan Brown, Lisa Buhelos, Georgia Jacobson, Emma Iacovella. Our faculty members are available for lessons on campus, virtual and in-home. AMI Campuses are located in Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. Schedule a trial lesson today with an AMI Faculty Member… AMI@amimusic.org - 630-850-850 - www.amimusic.org.

Dr. Olivia is an associate professor of VanderCook College of Music and Steinway Teacher through the prestigious STEP Program. She has performed as a soloist with the QingDao Concert Hall Orchestra, Southern Illinois Symphony, and Highland Park Strings, and served as staff pianist and faculty at major international festivals in the U.S., Brazil, and Portugal. Author of Schubert’s Piano Trios (Scholar’s Press, 2014), she co-founded the Yang and Olivia Foundation to promote cultural exchange and diversity through classical music. Read more..

- Voice / Piano - Available Saturdays - Clarendon Hills

Ivona Kesic holds her Master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy from Northeastern Illinois University. Originally from Bosnia and Herzegovina, she has attended masterclasses with esteemed European pianists and has won the Elyse J. Mach Concerto Competition. With over a decade of teaching experience, Ivona has taught students of all ages, from beginners to advanced pianists and is known for her creative, student-centered approach, always finding innovative ways to tackle technical and musical challenges. Read more..

Jordan Brown - Voice / Piano - Available Mon - Clarendon Hills / Virtual / In-Home

Jordan Brown holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Northwestern–St. Paul, and has built a dynamic career as a performer and teacher. In 2022, Jordan helped establish Rochester, Minnesota’s first opera company, The Hometown Opera Company. Jordan is committed to expanding access to high-quality vocal education in his community and creating meaningful musical opportunities for singers of all backgrounds. Read more..

Lisa Buhelos - Voice / Piano - Available Mon / Tues / Thur - Clarendon Hills / Virtual / In-Home

Lisa Buhelos is a recent graduate of the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana where she received her master’s in vocal performance, piano and literature. As a crossover performer in both opera and musical theatre, Buhelos has performed in both operas and musicals and hopes to teach students to become proficient in multiple styles. She believes in creating a lesson plan that will allow for students to sing the genres they are interested in while also providing a strong foundation. Read more..

Georgia Jacobson - Voice / Piano - Available Sat - Clarendon Hills / Virtual / In-Home

Georgia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and a Master of Music and Artist Diploma in Opera Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where she was a scholarship recipient and awarded the Sam Adams Award. Committed to fostering music education, Georgia has taught private voice and piano lessons to students of diverse ages and abilities, emphasizing technical development and artistic expression in a supportive environment. Read more..

Emma Iacovella - Voice / Piano / Trumpet - Available Tues, Thur & Sat - Clarendon Hills / Downers Grove / In-Home

Emma Iacovella (Voice/Brass/Piano) received her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance at Kansas State University. Despite focusing her degree on Voice, she continued to play the Trumpet and French Horn in various bands. Emma is dedicated to nurturing the holistic development of her students. She focuses on instilling a growth mindset, promoting resilience, perseverance, and a belief in their full potential. Read more..

About American Music Institute (AMI)

American Music Institute is a leading music education institution dedicated to fostering a love for music and providing high-quality instruction to students of all instruments, ages, genres and levels. AMI Campuses are located in Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Downers Grove, Geneva, and St. Charles, IL. For more information about enrolling in lessons or any of AMI’s programs, please visit amimusic.org or contact AMI at (630) 850-8505 / AMI@amimusic.org