textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Periodic rain/snow showers and thunderstorms will favor the higher terrain early this week, especially north of I-70.

- The coverage of showers and storms increases on Tuesday. Periods of moderate to heavy snow and slick travel are possible over the northern and central Divide mountains with potential impacts through Wednesday afternoon.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1032 PM MDT Sun May 3 2026

Light showers are advecting northward across southeast Utah and southwest Colorado as the leading wave from a cut off low moving down the California coast. We are seeing some isolated lightning activity with these showers and gusty winds as precip is trying to overcome the dry air at the low levels. Showers reach the I-70 corridor by early Monday morning and the focus for shower and thunderstorm activity looks to be along and north of the I-70 corridor Monday afternoon and evening. Temperatures remain mild Monday due to the southwest flow with this boundary stalling a bit along the northern Colorado/Wyoming border as a deeper and colder trough drops southward across the Northern Rockies and Northern High Plains.

Tuesday appears to be the most dynamic day as the cut off low moves into Arizona and the deeper trough drops southward across the north, bringing with it a pretty decent cold front. The heaviest precipitation rates appear to occur along this frontal boundary so Tuesday could be met with periods of moderate to heavy precipitation and of course convective potential. Snow is expected above 9000 feet but the greatest impacts and accumulations look to occur over the northern and central Front Range mountains and foothills. There is some uncertainty with snowfall accumulations given how far west this frontal boundary will set up and the depth of colder air, but do anticipate some slick conditions over the passes, especially Rabbit Ears and Vail Passes Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Held off on issuing any Winter Weather highlights at this time but could see some late season impacts along the northern and central divide mountains. Want to see a couple more model runs before honing in on details with timing, amounts and especially snowfall rates. Be prepared for travel impacts if traveling east towards the Front Range Tuesday and Wednesday and also visit weather.gov/bou for info on the east slope.

Lingering moisture and increased instability will allow for scattered showers and storms through late in the week. The passage of this system will cause temperatures to drop below normal on Tuesday and Wednesday before warming back to above normal levels late in the week.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 528 PM MDT Sun May 3 2026

Mid and high level clouds continue developing this evening and into the morning hours. Gusty winds will begin to die down within the next few hours. Showers will be a possibility at most terminals during the TAF period. Lower clouds will build where those showers are present and may introduce MVFR conditions to some terminals. The initial push of moisture will enter the region from the SW starting tonight (~04Z) mainly impacting KTEX and KDRO during that time period. By Monday morning into the afternoon hours, shower activity becomes more scattered and transitions to higher chances along and north of I-70. Thunderstorms are also a possibility at this time period as well. Winds will be generally light before picking up again Monday morning into the afternoon. Gusts will fall within the 20-25 kt range.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...None. UT...None.