Rain changing over to snow could make for slippery travel through much of the Chicagoland area Friday evening. | Photo: National Weather Service

The National Weather Service says the mild weather has come to an abrupt end as a cold front moves into the Chicagoland area, bringing snow Friday evening that could cause slippery travel.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a hazardous weather outlook early Friday morning warning about a wintry mix of rain and snow.

The outlook includes Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, Cook, Ogle, Lee, DeKalb, Kane, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee, Livingston, Iroquois and Ford counties.

Forecasters said a strong cold front surged south across the area Friday afternoon.

The cold front brings an abrupt end to the mild weather. The warmest temperatures of the month were reported on Wednesday and Thursday.

Rain will develop behind the front and quickly change to snow as temperatures plummet, the NWS said.

Some roadways may become icy or snow-covered, particularly bridges and overpasses, in areas where the snow is still falling steadily Friday evening as temperatures drop into the 20s.

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The NWS said localized snow accumulations of a coating to an inch are possible. Blustery northerly winds, with gusts up to 30-35, are expected.

The far northeast and far northern Illinois area along with points south and southeastward are listed as the main threat area for slippery travel.

Additional light lake effect snow is possible from midnight to 6 a.m. Saturday in Lake and Cook counties.