textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Widespread Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches continue each day through Thursday. Critical fire weather conditions continue, tentatively into the weekend.

- Widespread 25-35 mph gusts are expected today, with gusts 40-50 mph possible for areas along and north of I-70. Wind Advisories are in effect.

- Temperatures remain 5-10 degrees above normal through the period.

UPDATE

Issued at 1023 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

Winds have diminished and relative humidity values are increasing across the region this evening. Therefore, today's Red Flag Warnings have been allowed to expire. Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches remain in effect for tomorrow and Thursday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1023 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

HOT, DRY, AND BREEZY CONTINUES:

Winds finally start to weaken somewhat as the base of the upper level trough passes overhead and the pressure gradient begins to relax a bit. A 90-100 knot upper level jet will linger along our northern border through Thursday, and strong daytime mixing is expected to tap into it and bring stronger winds down to the surface. This will favor areas along and north of I-70, where gusts of 30-40 mph are expected, and localized gusts upward of 50 mph possible. Wind Advisories have been issued for these locations from noon to 8PM Wednesday. Across the southern half of the region, winds will gust 20-30 mph. Much drier air in the wake of the upper level trough will keep daytime humidities in the single digits to low teens today, and predominantly in the single digits Thursday. So while winds won't be quite as intense as we've seen in days past, widespread critical fire weather conditions remain and rapid wildfire growth, whether from new or pre-existing fires, remains a concern.

We finally see a bit of a pattern shift by Friday as the upper level trough that's dominated the West Coast this week finally tracks east. Eastern Utah and western Colorado come under mostly zonal flow, with a more relaxed pressure gradient in place. Passing waves in the flow will result in periods of gusty afternoon winds through the weekend, and dry surface air will remain in place. At least localized, if not widespread, critical fire weather conditions remain a possibility through the weekend. Increased upper level moisture looks to return Sunday, meaning at least some increased cloud cover, if not a chance for showers or thunderstorms. Temperatures remain 5-10 degrees above normal through the period.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1200 AM MDT Wed Jun 10 2026

Expect VFR conditions with mostly clear skies through the TAF period. The exception are some mid to high clouds associated with a few light showers along and north of the I-70 corridor moving east out of the region by about 10Z. Winds overnight will generally be light and terrain driven with gusty west to southwest winds picking up after 15Z. Look for gusts 25 to 35 kts across the southern TAF sites and gusts 35 to 45 kts along and north of the line KCNY to KGUC between 18Z and 02Z.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1023 PM MDT Tue Jun 9 2026

The critical fire weather pattern persists at least through Thursday, likely through the weekend, and possibly into the next work week. Winds begin to weaken somewhat today, although areas along and north of I-70 could still see gusts of 30-40 mph with locally higher gusts to around 50 mph possible. Additionally drier conditions will be settling in with the driest air expected on Thursday when the majority of the region will sit at 5-15% minimum relative humidities. Rapid wildfire spread remains possible, and Red Flag Warnings remain in effect today and Thursday.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ200-202-203-205-207-290>295. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ001-002-008. Fire Weather Watch from Thursday morning through Thursday evening for COZ201-205-207-291>295. UT...Red Flag Warning from 10 AM this morning to 10 PM MDT this evening for UTZ486-487-490-491. Wind Advisory from noon today to 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ024.