textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms are possible in the mountains Friday, especially along the Divide.

- Record heat and predominately dry conditions move in for the weekend and beyond.

- Thunderstorms will become more scattered early next week in the southern mountains.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1027 PM MDT Thu Jul 30 2026

Models are in good agreement with the high now to our south over New Mexico continuing to build west into the Desert Southwest tomorrow into Saturday where it is looking to drop anchor for the next week and shut off the tap to the deep moisture. That being said look for some moisture to work its way up under the high into the southern mountains to keep isolated afternoon showers and thunderstorms in the forecast through the weekend becoming more scattered by mid next week. In the short term, residual moisture in the area tomorrow afternoon will likely spawn a few isolated showers and thunderstorms over the mountains, especially along the Divide.

As the high builds in to the southwest and the atmosphere dries out over eastern Utah and Western Colorado, look for temperatures to climb from about five degrees above normal tomorrow to ten to 15 degrees above normal by early next week. With this heat, we've issued heat advisories and warnings for the lower valleys through the weekend. If you'll be out this weekend, be sure to drink plenty of liquids, take breaks in shaded areas and avoid the hottest part of the day between 10 AM and 4 PM. These hot temperatures and dry air will drive the relative humidity down into the mid to low teens, and with afternoon winds gusting 25 mph in some areas, we'll see localized areas of critical fire weather conditions across the region. It's just that time of the year when if it's not thunderstorms and possible flash flooding, it's hot and dry fire weather. Stay tuned for updates.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 531 AM MDT Fri Jul 31 2026

VFR conditions continue across the region through this TAF period. Skies will remain mostly clear, with a few clouds along the Divide possibly yielding a shower. Did not include any PROB30 language in TAFs as showers will remain too close to the Divide for impacts to airfields. Winds will pick up Friday afternoon with gusts to around 20 mph for some terminals. Light winds and clear skies will return at sunset to close out this period.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Heat Advisory from noon Sunday to 9 PM MDT Monday for COZ006. UT...Heat Advisory from noon Sunday to 9 PM MDT Monday for UTZ022. Heat Advisory from noon to 9 PM MDT Sunday for UTZ024. Extreme Heat Warning from noon Saturday to 9 PM MDT Monday for UTZ027-029.