DENVER -- The commute to work Wednesday morning looks like it will be a tough one as snow and cold settle into the Front Range Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

A snow advisory has been issued for the Denver metropolitan area, the Palmer Divide including Castle Rock, and the Interstate 25 corridor between Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Snow will develop by midnight with 1 to 3 inches expected by the morning commute. An additional 1 to 3 inches will fall Wednesday morning. Total storm accumulations of 3 to 7 inches is possible, highest over the southern and western suburbs.

Winter's first big blow to Colorado will also include some sub-zero temperatures. Highs on Wednesday in Denver and on the eastern plains will only be in the teens, falling to the single digits above and below zero Wednesday night.

Moderate to heavy snow fell through much of the day Tuesday in the mountains. The Interstate 70 corridor from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Grand Junction has been particularly hit hard. A heavy snow warning remains in effect for Glenwood Canyon through the overnight hours.

Most of Colorado's high country continues under winter storm warnings and snow advisories through noon Wednesday. Up to 20 inches has already fallen from Steamboat Springs to Aspen, and Silverton to Wolf Creek Pass.

A high wind warning previously in effect for areas around the Wet Mountain Valley and Huerfano County in Southern Colorado was cancelled late Tuesday.

The cold will spread even further south and east by the weekend, potentially bringing a wintry mix of precipitation as far south as central Arkansas by Friday. In Colorado, temperatures will moderate somewhat during the day on Friday.

Another storm system will impact the region Saturday into Sunday, reinforcing the Canadian air and bringing another chance of snow.