textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Sub-freezing temperatures are expected in some valleys tonight, and a widespread hard freeze sets in Friday night.

- A cold front moving through the area will bring rain and snow tonight and tomorrow. Accumulations are expected in the mountains and possible the valleys. - Warm weather builds back in this weekend into early next week with a return of unseasonably warm temperatures.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1203 PM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

REST OF TODAY THROUGH TOMORROW NIGHT

A shortwave trough approaching our area from the northwest has caused the pressure gradient to tighten so expect gusty winds of 25- 50 mph most of the day. The trough will push a modest cold front into the area this evening and overnight. That forcing will result in a band of rain and snow that moves southeastward. The dropping temperatures behind the front will support a rapid change over to snow. This along with the wind could end up causing reduced visibility and icy roadways. The front exits the area around sunrise, but orographic showers could continue through the afternoon. Snow amounts did come up a bit from the previous forecasts. This seems reasonable given the strong forcing and drastic temperature gradient. Generally the northern and central mountains are looking at about 4- 8 inches. Valleys could end up with a dusting or as high as 4 inches especially along and north of I-70. Roadways overnight and tomorrow morning could be icy due to melting and refreezing. Highs tomorrow will be 20-30 degrees cooler than today. The mountain snow showers during the day tomorrow could amount to a few inches in spots. Elsewhere will be dry. The new cold air mass will bring sub-freezing temperatures to just about all locations. In fact, a hard freeze is highly probable for all Colorado valleys.

LOOKING AHEAD:

A ridge of high pressure builds back in this weekend into early next week resulting in the return of unseasonably warm temperatures. The return flow brings enough moisture to fuel afternoon showers in the mountains on Monday.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 535 PM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

As this TAF period begins, a cold front will begin entering the region from the northwest. There will be rain and snow showers associated with this front which will drop ceilings below ILS breakpoints at some terminals where these showers are present (Specifically watching KHDN, KASE, KEGE, KTEX, KMTJ, and KRIL). Otherwise, cloud cover will be quite widespread overnight and into the early morning hours. Showers will begin to taper off from west to east by the afternoon hours on Friday.

MVFR/IFR conditions are expected to be in place where ceilings have lowered and visibilities are reduced due to shower activity. Where that is not the case, VFR will be in place.

Winds will continue to be gusty through the majority of the TAF period as this front pushes through. Gusts are already being observed in the 35-40 kt range.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001-002-007- 008-011. Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 10 AM MDT Friday for COZ001-002-007-008. Freeze Warning from midnight Friday night to 10 AM MDT Saturday for COZ001-002-006>008-011-020>023. UT...Wind Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ024-027. Freeze Warning from midnight tonight to 10 AM MDT Friday for UTZ024. Freeze Warning from midnight Friday night to 10 AM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-024-027-029.