textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Elevated fire weather conditions are expected across portions of Northwest Colorado this afternoon.

- Warm and dry conditions are here to stay. Temperatures will begin to surge well above normal, approaching record values Monday through Wednesday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1049 AM MDT Sat May 9 2026

A weak system moving through the region may interact with some moisture in the southern mountains. This could result in isolated showers there this afternoon. On Sunday, an amplified upper-level ridge begins to dominate the western CONUS, which will persist most, if not all of next week. The most notable part of this pattern will be hot and dry conditions. Throughout the week, highs will be 10+ degrees above normal region wide, with Monday through Wednesday potentially exceeding 20 degrees above normal in some places. We could see a new daily record highs set during this stretch. On Thursday a trough could flatten the ridge, which would in turn cool us off. It depends on where that system tracks, and right now model solutions vary. Even with the decreased temperatures highs may still end up above normal. That same system could bring us some precipitation as well.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 1124 AM MDT Sat May 9 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period. Gusty winds are already being seen at some terminals and they are expected to become more widespread as we move into the afternoon hours. Gusts will mostly be within the 20-25 kt range, with locally higher gusts possible. Winds will begin to die down into the evening hours and resume terrain driven patterns overnight. Passing high clouds will paint the sky today with some mid level cloud development into the afternoon, but nothing of concern.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 944 PM MDT Fri May 8 2026

This afternoon, wind gusts up to 35 mph and relative humidity values as low as 11-16% will combine to create elevated fire weather conditions in far northwest Colorado, where fuels are also deemed critical. As a result, a Red Flag Warning from 2-8 PM. Hot, dry, and windy conditions will prevail into next week, with temperatures surging well above average.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ200. UT...None.