textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Valley rain and mountain snow (above 9000 ft) is expected today. Impacts from snow will be limited to the mountain passes. - The next round will move through late Friday into Sunday bringing another round of more widespread precipitation. Snow levels will be lower so travel impacts could reach some of the valleys.

- Conditions dry out on Monday and temperatures begin to rebound becoming above normal by mid week.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1230 AM MST Thu Dec 25 2025

Highly anamolous moisture has arrived and it will continue to advect in from the southwest through most of the day. As of now there is little in the way of forcing, but later today there may be some help from a weak piece of energy and jet streak. The instability may also play a role in the showers today and can not rule out a few thunderstorms. Expect mainly orographic precipitation today with periods of more scattered showers at times. Precipitation becomes more orographic again tonight. The abnormally warm temperatures mean snow levels will hover around 10 kft. Even so, if travelling over mountain passes, be aware that wet roads will be the rule, with maybe some snow/slushy roads at the highest points.

A bit of a lull in precipitation rates is expected Thursday night into Friday as we will be in between systems but light mountain snowfall and valley rain looks to still continue periodically with little in the way of accumulation. The next push of moisture comes Friday evening with better dynamic forcing Friday night into Saturday as a deep trough moves through the Great Basin and across our area.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 333 PM MST Wed Dec 24 2025

Overnight Friday into Saturday precipitation chances increase across the region as the trough axis approaches the CWA. On Saturday morning a cold front will reach our area from the north, providing lift, and dropping temperatures, thus also dropping snow levels through the day. With the lowered snow levels, and increased forcing, greater snow accumulations are in the forecast for Saturday. However, model disagreement on moisture timing and intensity, and consequently also snow totals, lowers confidence on all of the specifics of this weekend system.

Models show that the strong low pressure currently off the West Coast will finally move through the area on Sunday. Moisture looks to be on the decrease, but the forcing may keep showers around. It does appear that by late Sunday locations begin to dry out. The air mass this system brings will be much colder than what we have been through lately. Monday morning could be quite chilly especially for snow covered valleys if clouds clear. Monday through mid week looks to be mainly dry with temperatures warming back above normal by Tuesday.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 436 AM MST Thu Dec 25 2025

Scattered showers are expected today and they may result in MVFR conditions at times. Strong winds aloft could mix down to the surface and or cause low level shear. Coverage in showers decreases in the evening although low level stratus may develop.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...None. UT...Winter Weather Advisory until noon MST today for UTZ023.