So, you thought we might skate through winter with fall-like temperatures and rainy days? Snap out of it!

We live in the Chicago suburbs, for heaven's sake, and that means it's eventually going to snow. And if the most recent National Weather Service forecast for the Joliet area proves accurate, "eventually" arrives Thursday.

There's an 100 percent chance of morning rain that day turning to afternoon snow, according to the Tuesday morning weather service forecast. A "special weather statement" said:

"While there remains quite a bit of uncertainty on snowfall duration and amounts, one aspect that looks highly likely is that the west-northwest winds will become strong on Thursday afternoon and evening. Gusts should be up to 40 to 50 mph, and possibly even stronger.

"Anyone who plans on traveling across the Midwest Wednesday night through Thursday night should be prepared for difficult travel ... especially for areas west and north of Chicago."

Temperatures will drop from a high of 41 Thursday to an overnight low of 19, the forecast said.

The weather service, based locally in Romeoville, held off on predicting accumulations because "any shift in the track of the surface low will make a significant difference as to where heavy snow occurs."

In the meantime, this is as good a time as any to review Joliet's rules governing street parking and snow removal. Click here for a complete overview of what you need to know before the storm arrives.

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