textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Freezing temperatures are expected tonight for most valleys, and again Saturday night for a few less valleys.

- Drier and warmer conditions are expected this weekend.

- Chances are increasing of more widespread, yet light precipitation across the region next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1043 PM MDT Fri Apr 3 2026

FREEZING TEMPERATURES FOLLOWED BY WARMING UP

A freeze warning is out again tonight as we are still recovering from the frigid cold front which swept through Thursday. Some areas around the CO-NM border may see their coldest overnight lows of the week tonight, meanwhile much of northwestern Colorado is starting to warm back up. Even so, temperatures should remain cold enough to bring overnight lows below freezing in some susceptible areas again Saturday night into Sunday morning as well. By Monday morning, lows will be back above freezing for the majority of all valleys, and thus freeze concerns are expected to come to an end for the time being. As we warm up, look for afternoon highs to reach 5-10 degrees above normal at least through the first half of the work week.

RAIN AND SNOW AHEAD

Mild snow showers are winding down through this morning, setting up for a mostly quiet weekend with mostly clear skies as ridging returns over the region. Throughout the work week though, we will receive mild pushes of moisture that will prompt multiple days of light precipitation. The aforementioned warming temperatures will keep valley rain in place as only higher elevations, likely near and above pass level, hold the potential to see any impactful snowfall. In these high elevation locations, the NBM isn't too optimistic with snow totals throughout the entirety of the week, with accumulations topping out at only a few inches, most of that expected to come in the late-week period when a new trough begins to dig through the southwestern CONUS. Trends could certainly shift between now and then, but with the way model guidance stands at the moment, this week-long wetter weather is looking like it won't amount to much in the way of snow accumulation.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 520 AM MDT Sat Apr 4 2026

Some midlevel ceilings will continue to affect KHDN and and KEGE through 16 to 18Z before dissipating. Despite those clouds, VFR conditions will continue for the next 24 hours. Generally light winds expected as well though an occasional higher gust can't be ruled out this afternoon.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Freeze Warning until 10 AM MDT this morning for COZ001-006>008- 011-020>023. Freeze Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for COZ001-007-008-011-020>023. UT...Freeze Warning until 10 AM MDT this morning for UTZ022-024-027- 029. Freeze Watch from late tonight through Sunday morning for UTZ024.