CHICAGO, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- Snowstorms will blanket most of Chicago, and the north and central areas of the U.S. state of Illinois, and northern Indiana on the Christmas Eve, the National Weather Service forecast on Saturday.

Snow is expected to move into the Chicago area before dawn Sunday and end by early evening, according to the weather service.

Snowfalls of about 1 to 3 inches were expected in Lake County, Illinois, and northern Cook and DuPage counties.

Following the snowfall, temperature will plummet, and frigid weather will arrive and be in control for the rest of the week.