CHICAGO (CBS) — Get ready for the possibility of a messy, slow morning commute on Thursday.

A “wintry mix” of snow, freezing rain and sleet is expected to move into the Chicago area late on Wednesday and Thursday morning, CBS 2 meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist reports.

A winter storm watch is in effect for Lake and McHenry counties, where snow accumulations could reach four to six inches by Thursday evening.

There is the potential for some minor ice accumulation on the roads during the morning rush. The snow could be an issue of the afternoon rush hour.

The sleet is expected to change to snow around midday on Thursday, especially north of Interstate 88.

Towns to the south may not see snow until the afternoon.

The impact of this storm is unpredictable. Just a slight variation in temperature could affect the amount of freezing rain or snow.

A total of up to three inches of snow is possible in northern areas closer to the city. Only about an inch of snow is expected south of the city.