After a mild Thursday, an arctic blast of extreme cold will arrive in parts of Colorado on Friday afternoon. According to Pinpoint Weather Meteorologist Alden German, snow chances could start to affect the Friday evening commute and the below-freezing temperatures are expected to last for several days in a row.

It is January in Denver and the National Western Stock Show is in town, which can only mean one thing ... cold and snowy Colorado weather is around the corner. It is a tradition at this point, and this year will be no different. An arctic blast will bring temperatures 20 to 40 degrees below average and a chance for snow.

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