textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Slightly cooler temperatures are expected today, though things warm back up to near-record territory through the end of the week.

- Red Flag Warnings are in place the central Divide from 1 PM to 8 PM. Localized critical fire weather conditions will occur elsewhere across the region.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1033 PM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS CONTINUE:

Temperatures cool slightly on Wednesday, thanks to a weak wave rotating around the high centered over the Southwest. Temperatures will only be a few degrees cooler, with the Desert Valleys seeing upper-90s to low-100s and the higher elevations seeing 70s to low 80s. This is enough to finally provide one Heat Advisory free day. However, as the high pressure continues to build into the southern Great Basin into the weekend, temperatures climb once more. Near- record afternoon highs return for Friday into the weekend. Additionally, the western placement of the high keeps eastern Utah and western Colorado disconnected from any monsoonal moisture, keeping things dry. There is a non-zero chance for an isolated shower or thunderstorm over the southern and central Divide through the end of the week, but extremely dry surface levels keep wetting rain chances near-zero, with the main concerns with any storms being lightning and gusty winds.

Looking into early next week, models continue to hint at a stronger trough moving onto the West Coast, displacing the center of the high back to the east. This opens to door for some monsoonal moisture to return to the Four Corners region into mid-next week. So stay tuned, we may finally see some relief from the heat.

FIRE WEATHER:

High pressure sticking around will keep hot and dry weather in the forecast through the end of the week and into the weekend. On Wednesday, a jet clips the northeast corner of the CWA, bumping up winds and bringing 25-35 mph gusts. Widespread Critical Fire Weather conditions are expected for zones along the Central Divide, and Red Flag Warnings are in effect from 1PM to 8PM. Elsewhere, winds will be borderline, therefore only localized Critical Fire Weather Conditions are expected. The jet moves east by Thursday, with the overall pressure gradient aloft relaxing. Deep mixing will help to bring down some stronger gusts to around 25 mph, especially along the Central Divide and around the Four Corners. However, with these marginal wind gusts, only localized Critical Fire Weather Conditions are anticipated at this time. Friday looks to follow a similar pattern.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 506 AM MDT Wed Aug 5 2026

VFR conditions are expected through the taf period. Although there may be smoke in the region. Wind gusts this afternoon will reach 20-30 kt, before diminishing in the evening. Typical drainage winds are expected overnight.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1033 PM MDT Tue Aug 4 2026

Hot and dry conditions will persist through the week. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for CO zones 205 and 293 from 1 PM to 8 PM Wednesday. Localized critical fire weather conditions are possible in other areas. Afternoon wind gusts are expected to become weaker later this week as high pressure builds. Wetting rains are not expected throughout the work week and into the weekend.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ205-293. UT...None.