More than 18 million people are under winter weather alerts across the West and Midwest as storms are forecast to bring heavy snows and bitter winds.

A strong system is producing heavy snow across the Northern Rockies, where higher peaks may pick up a foot or more through Saturday, according to CBS Meteorologist Andrew Kozak. As the low moves east, snowfall expands into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest from South Dakota to northwest Illinois, with 4 to 6 inches likely and locally higher totals.

A winter weather advisory is in place for Chicago with up to 2 to 5 inches of snow expected, CBS Chicago reported , leading to slick roadways and sidewalks by the morning hours.

Bitter cold will follow, with subzero lows possible in the Dakotas and Minnesota by Sunday night into Monday.

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