A “strong cold front will usher in a dangerously cold Arctic air mass” across much of the United States this weekend, according to a forecast from the Climate Prediction Center.

In Colorado’s High Country, cold air is set to arrive Friday, with daytime highs between 20  and 30 degrees in most valley areas. Temperatures could drop into the teens on Saturday with Sunday seeing highs in the single-digits or. Areas east of the Continental Divide have the potential of seeing daytime temperatures below zero. 

Temperatures will be coldest in the metro area. 

“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.”

Barjenbruch warned of elevated risk of hyperthermia and frostbite this weekend as wind chills could be as cold as 30 degrees below zero. It can take just 10 minutes for exposed skin to begin to develop frostbite in such conditions. 

“We’re suggesting cover up in multiple layers of warm, loose clothing, which allows for circulation,” Barjenbruch said. 

The state typically only experiences these blasts of Arctic air once or twice per year, Barjenbruch said. The air mass originated in the Beaufort Sea in the Arctic Ocean north of Alaska. 

This weekend also carries the potential for more snow in mountain areas. 

In a blog post Monday, OpenSnow meteorologist Sam Collentine predicted 2-6 inches on the ground along the Interstate 70 corridor between Friday night and Sunday. Areas in the foothills west of Denver will likely be favored for the deepest snow totals of 6-10 inches, Collentine added. 

Daytime temperatures will remain in the single digits on Monday, Jan. 20 with some valley areas potentially reaching highs around 10 degrees. Temperatures will steadily warm through next week, Barjenbruch said. 

A forecast from the Climate Prediction Center shows temperatures have a strong chance of being below normal through Jan. 23.