Denver and the Denver metro area are under a winter storm watch starting 6 p.m., Wednesday, with the potential for 6-12 inches of snow to accumulate by Friday morning.

Denver residents can expect increasing clouds Tuesday with a high near 64 and south southwest winds around 8 mph, becoming northeast in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service in Boulder.

Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches possible, highest amounts expected near the foothills and Palmer Divide. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

The National Weather Service in Boulder is forecasting a strong winter storm to impact the region Wednesday through Friday. This storm could bring significant snowfall to portions of Colorado, but confidence remains low regarding the exact track of this system. The chance for heavy snow continues to increase, especially for areas in and near the Front Range mountains, foothills, and Palmer Divide.

In the Front Range mountains and foothills, 1 to 2 feet is snowfall is possible, up to 18 inches over the Palmer Divide, and 6 to 12 inches possible around metro Denver. The hazardous conditions will especially impact the Thursday morning commute. The snow will taper off Thursday night into Friday morning, with drier weather expected for the weekend.

On Tuesday night, a 20% chance of showers is forecast after 1 a.m., with cloudy conditions and a low around 38. A north northeast wind will blow between 5 to 8 mph, becoming west after midnight.

Here’s the full forecast from the National Weather Service.

Wednesday: Rain likely before 8 a.m., then rain and snow likely between 8 and 10 a.m., then rain after 10 a.m. High near 48. Breezy, with a north wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Thursday: Snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 34. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%.

Friday: A 50% chance of snow before 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.