“With these arctic intrusions, it’s often times colder down in Denver than it is up in the mountains,” said National Weather Service meteorologist David Barjenbruch, adding that below-zero readings are likely across “a good chunk of the state.”

Traffic is expected to be impacted along major highways, with northern Colorado towns even more likely to experience bitter cold conditions.

Today serves as the calm before an active few days, as a major pattern shift arrives. It’ll be a milder day with plentiful sunshine, and temperatures are expected to reach the upper 30s to mid 40s.

Chilly temperatures are likely to hold on through Monday before warming back up.

An arctic blast will bring temperatures 20 to 40 degrees below average and a chance for snow. An arctic front will arrive Friday evening bringing a surge of cold air and a shift in the winds. Denver is looking at a 72+ hour period beginning Saturday with temperatures in the single digits (maybe some low teens if we are lucky) and below 0 degrees.

Bundle up, Colorado! Subzero temperatures, wind and snow are headed for Denver this weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Light snow was already falling in northern Colorado’s mountains on Tuesday morning,

Skies stay clear Tuesday night with light winds. Overnight lows will be close to seasonal averages, dipping into the upper teens. FOX31 Pinpoint Weather Chief Meteorologist Dave Fraser is tracking extreme cold across the area this weekend.

Denver’s cold weather shelters will be open for another week as frigid weather makes its way across the state.