textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot and dry conditions continue through the seven-day forecast.

- Record highs are expected for most locations through Saturday. A slight cooldown is expected on Sunday before temperatures increase again.

- Gusty afternoon winds will lead to critical fire weather concerns where fuels are susceptible, especially on Saturday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1216 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026

BREAKING RECORDS THROUGH NEXT WEEK:

High pressure continues to build over the region leading to anomalously warm temperatures and very dry conditions. In fact, yesterday we broke the all-time record high for the month of March at the Grand Junction airport with an afternoon high of 82 degrees. Needless to say, there will likely be several records broken just about each day into next week. There is even a chance we could potentially break the all-time record for the month of April in the coming days, which is 89 degrees. Deep mixing has allowed some locations to see gusty afternoon winds as well.

On Saturday, a system tracking over the northern Rockies will flatten the ridge and send a weak cold front into the region. Ahead of that front, the pressure gradient increases leading to gusty winds region-wide, but especially north of I-70. It is also the day with the warmest temperatures during this period. The combination of hot, dry, and windy weather will lead to critical fire weather conditions where fuels are critical.

Temperatures "cool down" slightly on Sunday, but record-breaking highs are still possible. Moisture that accompanies the front will struggle to produce measurable precipitation in this hot and dry regime. The only exception would be the highest elevations of the northern Divide, but even that is looking like a stretch. The ridge builds back in on Monday and Tuesday so the record heat and dry conditions continue.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 510 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the period. Most sites will experience gusty winds tomorrow afternoon.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1216 PM MDT Fri Mar 20 2026

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next several days. On Saturday, fire weather concerns look to be the most critical due to increased afternoon wind gusts. Areas north of I-70 could see gusts exceeding 40 mph Saturday afternoon, and relative humidity is expected to drop below 10 percent across the entire region. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for northwest Colorado on Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM where fuels have been deemed critical, but burning could become dangerous across all of eastern Utah and western Colorado and is not advised.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ200>202. UT...None.