Winter storm means blizzard warnings in eastern Illinois

CHICAGO (AP) - A winter storm moving across Illinois is forecast to bring as much as 9 inches of snow to areas of the state.

The National Weather Service early Wednesday issued winter storm warnings stretching from St. Louis north to the Chicago area, including central and southeastern Illinois. Blizzard warnings were in effect from north of Vandalia to Champaign and north to Kankakee. The northwestern parts of the state looked to be unaffected.

The warnings were to expire by 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

Forecasters warned of hazardous driving conditions, citing strong winds gusting up to 50 mph and locally heavy snowfall.

In Chicago, the city said it was preparing its fleet of 140 snow plows for a winter storm that was expected to affect rush hour traffic.