A polar vortex is sweeping into the Northeast this weekend, and it could bring the Albany region its first measurable May snowfall in 18 years — and potentially record low temperatures to the Big Apple, forecasters predict.

The wintry air mass is expected to send a chill through the region beginning on Friday, according to the Albany branch of the National Weather Service.

“We continue to closely watch a storm for Friday afternoon into Friday night that may bring a period of snow to most of eastern NY and western New England,” the weather service posted to Facebook.

Albany itself may not see more than an inch, but the higher terrain surrounding the city could be more heavily hit, according to AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines.

The Catskill Mountains can also expect some snowfall, but the heaviest accumulation — between 6 and 12 inches — is predicted for New Hampshire and Vermont, especially the Green and White mountains, as well as Maine, Kines said.

“This weather pattern is certainly more typical of winter than May,” the meteorologist said. “This air mass is coming from the polar regions far up in northern Canada and the temperatures way up there had been single digits and below zero.”

No snow is expected for the Big Apple, but the city will see some rain Friday afternoon.

But New Yorkers will need to bundle up if they head outside for the weekend.

Temperatures will drop down into the mid-30s Friday night, possibly brushing with a record low of 35 degrees.

Saturday afternoon, temperatures will only hit the upper 40s — and could break another record if the mercury dips below 44, according to Kines.

“Anytime where you have a day in May when the temperatures don’t hit 50, that’s highly unusual,” Kines said.

Yet another record could be challenged Saturday night into Sunday morning as temperatures fall into the upper 30s, he said.

Next week will start off with a chill, but the city will warm up by Wednesday when above normal temperatures are expected, according to Kines.

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