textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Slight chance (15-30%) for afternoon showers and storms near the Divide today and Saturday. - Near record high temperatures for today and Saturday.

- Critical fire weather conditions are expected Saturday and continue through Tuesday due to low humidity and gusty winds.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1158 AM MDT Fri Jun 5 2026

Lingering moisture may result in isolated showers and storms near and along the Divide this afternoon and again tomorrow. These showers will have better chances of producing gusty winds than measurable precipitation. On Saturday, a deep low drops into the Pacific Northwest setting up a longwave trough along the West Coast with ridging over the Plains. This pattern puts the region under a strong southwesterly flow with gusty southwest winds for the next several days. Today and tomorrow highs will be near record values, but the trough pushes the warmest temperatures east of us by Sunday. Highs cool about five degrees Sunday onward, but we will still be well above normal. With the hot, and extremely dry conditions, expect critical fire weather conditions daily for a good majority of the area from Saturday through at least mid next week. In general wind gusts for Saturday through Monday will be 25-35 mph with some gusts upwards of 40 mph. On Tuesday and Wednesday the winds are expected to increase with gusts generally 35-45 mph. As that trough approaches from the west moisture could advect into the area, which may result in showers and storms. The timing and strength of the trough could still change so the details are not clear.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 519 PM MDT Fri Jun 5 2026

Gusts of 15-25 kts are occurring over KASE, KEGE, KRIL, KDRO, and KVEL as of now. These gusts may continue for the next 1-3 hours before lighter winds settle in overnight. Gusts of 20-30 kts pick up tomorrow afternoon for the majority of the region. Otherwise, VFR conditions prevail.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1111 PM MDT MDT Thu Jun 4 2026

Critical fire weather develops on Saturday and continues through Tuesday. In general wind gusts Saturday through Monday will be 25-35 mph with some gusts upwards of 40 mph. On Tuesday and Wednesday the winds are expected to increase with gusts around 35-45 mph, and perhaps upwards of 50 mph. The coverage of red flag will change day to day for a few zones based on wind speed and RH increasing. Moisture does increase on Tuesday and Wednesday as a system passes to our north. This could result in showers and storms, but it is too far out for details.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Saturday for COZ200-202- 203-207-290-292. Red Flag Warning from 10 AM to 10 PM MDT Sunday for COZ200-202- 203-205-207-290>293. Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday evening for COZ200-202-203-205-207-290>293. UT...Red Flag Warning from noon to 9 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ486-487- 490-491. Red Flag Warning from 10 AM to 10 PM MDT Sunday for UTZ486-487- 490-491. Fire Weather Watch from Monday morning through Tuesday evening for UTZ486-487-490-491.