The Midwest is skipping fall and heading right to winter to end the week.

A potentially record-setting blizzard is bearing down on the region and could dump snow from Colorado to Minnesota. The Dakotas sit near the epicenter of the storm and could see up to three feet of October snow (yes, you read that right). Add in gusty winds and you have a recipe for life-threatening conditions. For a region that’s already dealt with one freak early season snowstorm, the latest blast of winter is hardly welcome.

Snow has already fallen across parts of the Rockies and Front Range as of Thursday late morning. Multiple accidents and pileups have been reported in the Denver metro area. Highways have been shut down as police struggle to respond amid worsening conditions. After topping out at 80 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, Denver will struggle…