Colorado is about to get its first big snowfall of the season, with parts of the state likely to get 8 to 12 inches or more by Friday.

According to a weather forecast map produced by the National Weather Service, higher elevation areas of the state will be hit the hardest, with the most snowfall likely to land on Pikes Peak outside of Colorado Springs. Pikes Peak, at 14,115 feet, will likely get 12 to 18 inches of snow by Friday starting on Wednesday night.

Boulder and the Denver metro area will likely see 3 to 4 inches, with Colorado Springs area getting 6 to 8 and 3 to 4 inches falling in the city. Estes Park will also likely see 6 to 8 inches.

Ski country will be looking at 8 to 12 inches, with more likely to land at higher elevation resorts such Arapahoe Basin. The race to open first is on. The southern mountains will likely see a dusting, but not much more.

A heavy snow warning travel alert has been issued by the Colorado Department of Transportation for the Denver metro area and Mountain Corridor, warning that snow accumulation on highways could be possible. Their warning specifically lists Thursday as the problem day and informs readers that they should know and follow new traction laws in the state.

This wave of winter weather hitting Colorado is hitting northern states even harder. Strong winds and wet snow are predicted to cause damage to trees as well as power outages.

According to Joel Gratz of OpenSnow, the next storm will likely hit Colorado sometime from October 18 to 23.