CHICAGO (CBS) — Two winter storm systems are on the way this week, both bringing the potential for accumulating snow and major travel problems.

The first big one will hit Chicago on Wednesday. Widespread snowfall totaling 4 to 6 inches is expected through Wednesday, with isolated higher amounts along the North Shore.

A winter weather advisory is in effect from 9 a.m. Wednesday until 3 a.m. Thursday for all of the Chicago area. Major travel impacts are expected, including air travel. The worst of this storm is expected to hit in the afternoon and evening.

There will be areas of flurries and light snow showers Tuesday night, and then the main system begins to move in between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Wednesday, increasing from west to east.

Widespread snow is expected after 10am and through the early evening. During the afternoon hours, lake enhanced heavier bursts of snow will be possible, producing snowfall amounts as high as 1 inch per hour.

After 6 p.m. Wednesday, snowfall rates and coverage will decrease.

Snowfall amounts are shaping up to be around 4" to 6", with localized higher amounts near the immediate lakeshore. Lower totals of around 3" to 4" are expected for areas south of Chicago and the rim of Lake Michigan in Indiana, and 2" to 3" for Newton and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana.

Snow wraps up in the early morning hours of Thursday. But major travel impacts are expected into Thursday morning.

Temperatures are expected to crash Thursday, with highs in the teens with lows in the single digits. Wind chills could reach as low as 10 degrees below zero on Friday morning.

The second snow storm arrives Friday night, lasting through Saturday. This second disturbance is gaining confidence that heavy snow will be expected, with a possible wintry mix setting up somewhere across our southern communities. How much snow the second system could bring is still to be determined, but travel will be slippery throughout the day on Saturday.

In the meantime, cloudy skies are expected Tuesday night, with lows in the lower 20s and it'll stay breezy. The long-term forecast has temperatures remaining cold and below normal. Highs will only top out in the teens on Sunday and Monday next week. Lows bottom out in the single digits to near-zero.

Stay connected to the First Alert Weather Team for updates on this busy February snow week.