Snow is already on the ground in Denver, but the storm will return with gusto Friday afternoon after a mid-morning break, according to the National Weather Service.

Denver can expect around 3 inches of snow to accumulate throughout the day Friday, and cities further north in the metro area will see up to 5 inches of snow, according to NWS snowfall projections Friday morning.

The snow will spread throughout the Denver area by 4 p.m. Friday and continue through roughly 2 a.m. Saturday, according to NWS forecasters.

A mix of snow, rain and freezing temperatures will make for slick roads for Friday commuters, especially after sunset and along Interstate 25 and Interstate 70, according to a hazardous weather outlook from the NWS.

Winds up to 21 mph could create blowing snow and hazardous travel conditions for commuters as well, according to NWS forecasters.

Temperatures will peak around 3 p.m. Friday at 41 degrees before dropping below freezing at sunset and bottoming out at 19 degrees overnight, according to NWS meteorologists.

The northern mountains will see the heaviest snow Friday with 6 to 12 inches of snow expected, more north of I-70, according to NWS forecasters. The NWS issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the northern mountains through 5 a.m. Saturday.

Constant snow Friday night combined with up to 55 mph winds will lead to blowing snow and poor visibility, the advisory stated. Icy and snow-packed roads will create hazardous travel conditions.

Light snow will return to the mountains Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, according to the NWS’s hazardous weather outlook.

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