textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions will be around for most of the week. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for today and tomorrow.

- Gusts of 25-35 mph are possible each afternoon, with gusts up to 45 mph possible tomorrow.

- Triple digit heat is possible for the desert valleys tomorrow through late week. Daytime highs will be running around 10 degrees above normal nearly everywhere during this time period.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1218 PM MDT Tue Jun 16 2026

HOT, DRY, AND WINDY CONDITIONS CONTINUE:

The main forecast concern continues to be the hot, dry, and windy conditions, and the subsequent critical fire weather. Ridging will drive the weather through most of this week, with a shift to southwesterly flow this weekend being the biggest shift in the pattern forecast over the next week or so. Wind gusts 30 to 45 mph, potentially greater in localized areas, are forecast for tomorrow afternoon, along with another day of widespread single digit minimum relative humidities. As such, Red Flag Warnings remain in effect through 9 PM today for most fire zones in eastern UT and western CO. Red Flag Warnings are in effect tomorrow from noon to 9 PM for the same zones as today, and CO zones 295 below 9,000 feet and 201. Single digit relative humidities remain in the forecast on Thursday, but wind gusts are forecast to be more marginal.

Temperatures will climb tomorrow, leading to highs that are around 10 degrees above normal though the remainder of the workweek. This means triple digit highs are in the forecast for many desert valley areas tomorrow, Thursday, and potentially also Friday. If spending time outdoors, be sure to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks in the shade.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 529 PM MDT Tue Jun 16 2026

VFR flying conditions will continue through this period thanks to high pressure and little to no cloud cover. Winds will remain the primary concern for aviators through this TAF period. Winds remain gusty this evening heading towards sunset, then diminish quickly. Stronger surface winds return Wednesday morning, with winds gusts approaching 35-45 mph across the region most of the day. Winds will favor west to northwest tomorrow. Mostly clear skies will continue.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1218 PM MDT Tue Jun 16 2026

Critical fire weather conditions are expected to persist through much of this week. Red Flag Warnings are in effect until 9 PM today, and again tomorrow from noon to 9 PM for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels. Tomorrow's Red Flag Warnings are in effect for the same fire weather zones as today, which is most of eastern Utah and western Colorado, with the addition of Colorado zones 295 below 9,000 feet and 201. Widespread gusts of 30 to 45 mph are forecast tomorrow afternoon, with even greater gusts possible in localized areas. Above normal temperatures will contribute to hot, dry, and windy conditions, with much of our area having a medium to high probability of the HDWI exceeding the 90th percentile.

On Thursday single digit minimum relative humidities are expected to persist, but wind gusts are forecast to be weaker. Thursday's gusts are currently looking more marginal, with the strongest gusts mostly occurring over the higher terrain and in the Four Corners region. Critical fire weather conditions will continue through the week, becoming more widespread on Saturday.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for COZ200-202- 203-205-207-290-292>294. Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ200>203-205-207-290>295. UT...Red Flag Warning until 9 PM MDT this evening for UTZ486-487- 490-491. Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for UTZ486- 487-490-491.