textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Record heat and predominately dry conditions this weekend and early next week with localized critical fire weather conditions.

- Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms over the southern mountains moving off into the valleys through the coming week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 102 PM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

High pressure will dominate the forecast through the coming week, remaining centered over the Desert Southwest. This will keep conditions high and dry, with only a slight chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm over the Southern Divide each afternoon. Above normal temperatures will stick around through the period as well, with near-record high temperatures each afternoon. Extreme Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories are in effect through at least Tuesday evening. However, with little change in the pattern, these highlights will likely be extended day-by-day through the end of the week.

A trough will transit across the Northern Rockies during the first half of the week, with a few weak shortwaves dipping south into eastern Utah and western Colorado. There's not much moisture with any of these waves, but they will lead to some increased surface winds, with marginal gusts to around 25 mph. With dry surface levels and hot temperatures in place, wherever fuels are still critical there will be a chance for localized Critical Fire Weather Conditions.

Looking further out, toward the end of the workweek and the coming weekend, ensemble and deterministic guidance seem inclined to bring a trough into the West Coast. This would finally displace the high to the east, potentially allowing moisture to be drawn up into the Four Corners once more. This will be something to watch over the coming days as forecast confidence increases.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1119 AM MDT Sun Aug 2 2026

Some breezy winds have already developed or will begin to develop at all terminals today, expected to reach 18-22 kts. For most locations, winds will become light and terrain-driven overnight. VFR conditions prevail.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Heat Advisory until 9 PM MDT Tuesday for COZ006. UT...Heat Advisory until 9 PM MDT Tuesday for UTZ022. Heat Advisory until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ024. Extreme Heat Warning until 9 PM MDT Monday for UTZ027-029. Heat Advisory from 9 PM Monday to 9 PM MDT Tuesday for UTZ027- 029.