textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Record high temperatures remain possible through Monday.

- Red Flag Warnings are in effect for the northern valleys today and Sunday (CO Fire Zones 200 and 202) as gusty winds and dry surface conditions remain in place. A Fire Weather Watch remains in effect for the same areas Monday.

- A pattern shift is expected next week, bringing temperatures that are closer to normal, valley rain, and potentially some mountain snow.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1005 PM MDT Fri Mar 27 2026

GUSTY WINDS AND WARM TEMPERATURES CONTINUE:

High pressure remains well to our southeast as we stay under the influence of southwesterly winds. Weak upper level impulses will be moving through the mean flow over the weekend and deeper mixing will allow gusty afternoons winds to materialize through the weekend and beyond. Winds of 25 to 35 mph will be common with the strongest winds over the northern valleys, closest to those impulses. The impulses may also allow a few showers each afternoon though virga is more probable. As mentioned, southwesterly flow will allow warm temperatures to remain across the area with some record highs possibly being broken each day through Monday.

PATTERN SHIFT INCOMING:

Models continue to indicate a robust trough moving into the PacNW Monday. The good news here is that despite this system remaining well to our north, a trailing cold front may move through. As this occurs, northwesterly flow will usher in cooler temperatures and some shortwaves will bring increasing chances for some precip Tuesday onwards with unsettled weather remaining in the forecast through midweek. Of course, some discrepancies are showing up between the deterministic EC and GFS so will need to keep an eye on these differing solutions. For now, the GFS has started trending drier while the EC keeps more widespread precip in the picture.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 542 AM MDT Sat Mar 28 2026

SCT to BKN high cloud cover will continue to stream across areas north of I-70 through the next 24 hours with mostly clear skies south of I-70 with passing high clouds through the afternoon. Winds pick up this afternoon with gusts 25 to 35 mph with stronger winds possible over the northern valleys. VFR conditions will prevail with light terrain driven winds returning overnight.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1005 PM MDT Fri Mar 27 2026

Red Flag Warnings continue today as gusty winds and low humidities are still expected. Went ahead and issued a Red Flag Warning for Sunday for the same zones and times as gusty winds, though somewhat lighter than today, are expected and dry conditions remain in place. A few isolated showers and virga may also bring some gusty winds to the surface both days. The Fire Weather Watch remains in place for Monday as the next system brings another round of gusty winds while keeping low levels dry.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ200-202. Red Flag Warning from noon to 8 PM MDT Sunday for COZ200-202. Fire Weather Watch from Monday afternoon through Monday evening for COZ200-202. UT...None.