An extreme cold watch has been issued by the National Weather Service for the region from 6 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday for Dutchess, Ulster, Sullivan, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Westchester counties.

Wind chill values will be 15 to 30 degrees below zero.

Temperatures will be manageable tonight and into Friday. Skies will become cloudy and set the stage for an approaching clipper system that will bring light snowfall to the area. Snow accumulations will range from a coating to 2 inches of snowfall. Roads and residential areas may be slick and slippery early Saturday morning. Some of you may have to shovel a little too, as some isolated heavier bands could push for a slightly higher total, such as 3 inches. Expect this to begin Friday evening/night and last into early Saturday morning. Following the snow comes a blitz of Arctic air. This air will not only be the coldest of the season, but the coldest we have seen in a few years for the lower Hudson Valley.

The extreme cold will begin Saturday evening and carry through Sunday afternoon. Air temperatures, along with high wind gusts ranging from 20 to 40 mph, will lead to wind chills ranging from 15 to 30 degrees below zero. Some areas could see even colder temperatures.

Temperatures look to gradually bounce back after Monday, getting into the low to mid-30s for the rest of next week.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy and cold with barely a breeze. Lows: Mid-single digits to mid-teens.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with snow showers moving in for the afternoon to evening hours. Highs: Mid-20s. Lows: Mid-teens.

SATURDAY: BITTER BLAST - Morning snow showers with gusty winds all day and extremely cold air moving in. Highs: Mid-teens. Lows: Near and below zero.

SUNDAY: BITTER BLAST - Partly cloudy and very cold temperatures expected. Winds will be gusty at times. Highs: Mid- to upper teens. Lows: Near zero.

MONDAY: Sun and clouds, not as cold with less wind. High temperatures: In the mid-20s. Low temperatures: In the single digits.