textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Valley rain and mountain snow showers are expected through Tuesday evening.

- Winter driving conditions are possible mainly at pass level during the overnight and early morning hours on Monday and Tuesday. - Unsettled conditions pause briefly mid-week, but another stronger system works across the Southwest with potential impacts late week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1044 PM MDT Sun Apr 26 2026

Early Week Outlook

The first of several shortwave troughs is moving across the area this evening. Scattered to widespread showers have developed as a result and will continue into the night. Mountain snowfall is expected generally above 8-9 kft so the passes could become snow covered through out the morning. Lingering moisture will be sufficient for more precipitation on Monday. A subtle wave may clip the northwest CWA, so this is where the highest chances will be. Outside of that instability and orographics will be responsible for showers for the rest of the area. The final trough moves over Monday night into Tuesday morning. This will keep precipitation chances going mainly along and north of I-70. Mountain snowfall could again impact the roadways at pass level mainly during the overnight hours. The coverage and intensity of showers decreases Tuesday afternoon and things shut down in the evening. Wednesday will be a fairly quiet day and slightly warmer given the lack of showers. The exception will be the northern Divide where light showers are possible.

Late Week Outlook

Deterministic models are continuing to sell a bowling ball low working across the Southwest late this week. Ensembles are keeping a rich pool of moisture to our south. It looks like we get some benefits of that in our southern counties on Thursday and Friday, likely working up the Divide too. Temperatures at the moment make this look like a night time snow producer for the mountains and likely rain/snow mix through the day. Moisture does look impressive with this system. The track of the low is going to have some strong influence on impacts though. Looks like a good one to keep an eye on in the coming days.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 551 AM MDT Mon Apr 27 2026

Scattered showers continue across western Colorado this morning. Showers will be capable of reducing vis/cigs to MVFR/IFR conditions. Uncertainty remains on coverage of showers through 18Z, but periodic impacts are possible at most terminals. Active weather will ramp up again after 18z with the highest potential for impacts at KHDN and other northern CO terminals.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...None. UT...None.