Get Ready Colorado, Blast Of Arctic Cold & Snow Possible Next Week

By Chris Spears

DENVER (CBS4) - It looks like the first arctic blast of the season could be on the way to Colorado as we turn the calendar to December.

Computer forecast models show a strong storm system moving into the northern Rockies by Monday.

As the storm gains strength and moves east it will have the potential to pull a pocket of bitter cold air straight out of northern Canada and down the east side of the Rockies.

There are some indications that by the middle of next week highs could struggle to reach 20 degrees in Denver with lows hovering around zero.

Along with the cold will come a chance for snow but it's a little too early to talk about amounts. Generally arctic air masses produce lighter snow totals because cold air has a low capacity for holding moisture. But sometimes a light fluffy snow can pile up so it's something we will have to monitor closely.

We'll keep you posted with our latest thoughts from Colorado's Weather Center in the days ahead.

Meteorologist Chris Spears writes about stories related to weather and climate in Colorado. Check out his bio, connect with him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter @ChrisCBS4.