textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Near record heat is expected today. Heavy Advisories remain in effect for some desert valley areas through this evening.

- Red Flag Warnings are in place today for various areas of western Colorado through 7 PM, and tomorrow for the central Divide from 1 PM to 8 PM. Localized critical fire weather conditions will occur elsewhere across the region.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1238 PM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

CONTINUING HOT AND DRY WEATHER:

High pressure centered to our south will keep hot and dry conditions in the forecast through this weekend. Heat Advisories remain in effect through this evening for some of the desert valley areas of eastern Utah and Western Colorado. Tomorrow daytime high temperatures are forecast to be a bit lower, but only by a few degrees at most. Temperatures will climb again during the latter half of the workweek as high pressure strengthens and gradually becomes centered over the Intermountain West. There is a non-zero chance of afternoon convection over the southern high terrain, but with exceptionally dry air in place showers and thunderstorms are unlikely. Model trends suggest that moisture could start making its way back into our region sometime next week.

FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THROUGH THE WORKWEEK:

High pressure will generally keep afternoon wind gusts on the lighter side, but a jet to our north/northeast and an increased pressure gradient will support stronger afternoon gusts, primarily over areas of higher terrain. These gusts coupled with the hot and dry weather is creating critical fire weather conditions in some areas. As such, Red Flag Warnings remain in effect today until 7 PM for a few zones in western Colorado. Tomorrow Red Flag Warnings are in effect from 1 PM to 8 PM for zones in the central Divide. Fire weather conditions look to become more localized later this week as wind gusts drop below thresholds.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1134 AM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

VFR conditions will continue through the TAF period. Gusts of 20 to 25 kts are possible in the afternoon at most sites. Wildfire smoke from Utah may restrict the visibility at times.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1238 PM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

Hot and dry conditions will persist through the week. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for CO zones 202, 205, and 207 through 7 PM this evening. Tomorrow Red Flag Warnings are in effect for CO zones 205 and 293 from 1 PM to 8 PM. Localized critical fire weather conditions are possible in other areas. Afternoon wind gusts are expected to become weaker later this week as high pressure builds. Wetting rains are not expected throughout the work week and into the weekend.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning until 7 PM MDT this evening for COZ202-205- 207. Heat Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ006. Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ205- 293. UT...Heat Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027-029.