Colder Weather Heading For Colorado: National Weather Service

DENVER — The temperate weather that Coloradans have been enjoying may come to an end next week as below-normal temperatures hit much of the West, according to the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center.

Colorado won't see temperature drops as dramatic as other western regions, but metro Denver's highs in the late 70s could drop into the 50s, weather officials said. You can expect lows in the early 40s.

The high country can expect freezing nights, so anyone heading into the mountains should pay close attention to the forecast.

Denver's metro area could see some patches of rain this weekend, which would help ease drought conditions. A mild drought hit metro Denver in mid-September, and since then, the drought has worsened, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.

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If you're planning some fun fall excursions, higher temperatures are expected to continue through the end of this weekend.

More specifics about the timing, extent and duration of next week's potential cold streak will be available as the forecasts are firmed up.