A cold front heading for Denver will turn rain into snow overnight into Sunday morning, with at least an inch of snow likely to accumulate before Christmas morning.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service in Boulder expected the rain to begin across most of the metro area to begin before 9 p.m., and the cold front likely will hit between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The rain will switch to snow after that as temperatures drop to an expected 27-degree low.

Denver has an 80% chance to see at least an inch of snow by Christmas morning, forecasters said on X, but only a 3% chance to see more than 4 inches by then.

The foothills near Evergreen have a 76% chance to see more than 4 inches and could get the most snow by Christmas.

Even though snow could stay on the low end elsewhere, forecasters warned strong winds developing overnight and into Sunday morning could produce poor visibility and slick roadways.

The eastern plains and Palmer Divide, south of Denver, are likely to see the strongest winds, with up to 34 mph gusts possible in some areas.

The State Patrol on X warned drivers Saturday night there could be icy roads across the state, and the Colorado Department of Transportation was preparing for winter weather before the holiday weekend.

The snow isn’t likely to last until Christmas Day, but cold temperatures will.

The Christmas Eve high is expected to be 31 degrees, and the low is forecast at 14 degrees.

Christmas Day’s high will be 34 degrees, with a low of 18 degrees.

Denver activated its cold-weather shelters for Sunday and Monday in advance of the frigid nights.

Additional overnight shelter capacity will open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the ballroom of the Denver Navigation Campus, 4040 Quebec St.

People seeking shelter before 9 p.m. should visit a referral center, including Lawrence Street Community Center, 2222 Lawrence St., for individual men and Samaritan House, 2301 Lawrence St., for individual women.

Families with minor children should call the Salvation Army Connection Center at 303-295-3366 or visit 11701 E. 33rd Ave. Youths ages 15 to 20 can visit Urban Peak at 2100 Stout St.