textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Snow showers are possible on Thursday in the northern and central mountains. Snow amounts will be relatively minor.

- Warm and dry conditions return Friday and Saturday.

- The next storm could arrive late Saturday and last into early next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 1154 PM MST Wed Feb 25 2026

Light snow will continue, but significant accumulations are not expected, so the Winter Weather Advisories have been allowed to expire.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1003 PM MST Wed Feb 25 2026

Orographic showers will continue today due to a weak slow moving front mainly in the northern and central mountains. A few of the mountain passes could see minor impacts from the snow this morning. Instability is expected to build in some spots similar to yesterday, so look for an uptick in showers during the afternoon. Although in general the rates and amounts will be lower. The cold front may allow snow levels to drop 1-2 kft across the north. Temperatures will still be 5-15 degrees above normal for the lower elevations. Winds decrease overall compared to yesterday, but will still be gusty for many locations.

LONG TERM /FRIDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 1003 PM MST Wed Feb 25 2026

On Friday northwest flow remains in place, but it will usher in dry air and therefore more quiet conditions. Strong winds aloft support another windy afternoon though. Attention then turns to a closed low pressure spinning off the coast of Northern California. This low finally gets caught up by the flow Saturday and will track toward the West Coast, finally moving inland on Sunday. Ahead of the low, the western CONUS ridge will gradually flatten, and flow over eastern Utah and western Colorado will turn zonal to southwesterly. This will tap into that remnant pool of moisture, increasing PWATs to 170-220% of normal by Sunday. Showers will begin Sunday night, as westerly flow favors orographic lift, and a modest 80-90 knot jet noses in aloft. The orientation of the moisture pool and placement of the jet will favor the northern mountains, at least to start. Diffluent flow develops aloft as the low tracks into the Great Basin, adding some extra lift and reinvigorating shower activity. For Monday and beyond the details are a little more uncertain, since the models can not agree on the strength and track of the low pressure system as it passes overhead.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1021 PM MST Wed Feb 25 2026

Winds have quickly calmed down tonight, and precipitation has mostly come to an end aside from over the high terrain. A round of showers may develop between 9-16Z near KASE and KHDN, though potential is low. Look for skies to clear tomorrow and for afternoon winds to pick up again. Gusts should reach 15-25 kts at most terminals. VFR conditions will prevail for the majority of the region through the TAF period.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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