Updated at 4:23 p.m. Feb. 23

The National Weather Service in Romeoville has issued a winter storm watch, effective from 7 p.m. Thursday through noon Friday.

According to AccuWeather.com, rain will change to wet snow by Thursday night, with snow becoming heavy at times during the late evening hours, with the potential for six to 10 inches of accumulation.

Fast accumulation of up to an inch per hour could result in slippery and potentially dangerous travel at times, according to the weather service. Strong winds combined with heavy, wet snow could also result in reduced visibility Thursday night.

The white stuff is expected to taper off gradually by Friday morning.

What to know before it snows

Stay ahead of the weather by using Romeoville Patch's live traffic feature by CLICKING HERE. 

The Illinois Department of Transportation's Getting Around Illinois website, which is designed to give area motorists a heads up on snowy or icy roads, offers real-time road conditions.

Romeoville residents should also bear in mind that the village's "odd-even" street parking rule is in effect when there is a snowfall of two or more inches. To allow streets to be plowed, starting at 6 p.m. on even-numbered days, cars parked on the street must be parked in front of odd-numbered addresses. That is, until 6 p.m. on the next (odd-numbered) day, when cars must be parked in front of even-numbered addresses. The rule remains in effect until all streets are cleared, according to the Romeoville Public Works Department.

Below are some safety tips for driving in the snow or ice from the Weather Channel:

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don't use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don't pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.

If your rear wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they're sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid...

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck...

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner's manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.