CHICAGO, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- An intense band of snow is advancing into the U.S. lower Great Lakes region, impacting areas like Chicago and Detroit, the National Weather Service warned on Thursday.

From Thursday evening to Friday night, the "severe winter weather" could bring 6 to 10 inches (about 15-25 cm) of heavy snowfall to Chicago, with some localized areas accumulating more than one foot (30 cm) of snow, according to the weather service.

Travel during the storm will be very difficult to impossible, the weather service warned.

Heavy snow is also on the way for Detroit area, which will make Friday morning commute very difficult.

Overall, the severe winter weather will affect a large region covering northern Illinois, southern Michigan, eastern Iowa and northern Indiana till Monday morning.