textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Hot and dry conditions persist through the weekend, with near record temperatures possible in some areas. Heat Advisories remain in effect this weekend.

- Isolated storms favoring the high terrain are possible early next week with coverage increasing by late next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1219 PM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

HOT AND DRY THROUGH THIS WEEKEND:

Building high pressure centered to our West is keeping the weather hot and dry today. The center of high pressure will gradually move to our southeast over the next few days, but as it moves overhead during this transition hot and dry conditions remain in the forecast through the weekend. High temperatures are expected to be around 10 degrees above normal today and tomorrow, with a decrease of a few degrees forecast for Sunday. Overnight lows in the desert valley areas will be in the upper 60s to low 70s tonight, and then in the low to mid 70s tomorrow night into Sunday morning thanks to increased overnight cloud cover. So, Heat Advisories remain in effect this weekend for some desert valley areas due to near record daytime high temperatures, and elevated overnight temperatures.

Despite the current hot and dry weather, widespread critical fire weather conditions remain out of the forecast through at least much of next week due to weaker wind gusts while high pressure is overhead, and an eventual return of moisture. However, localized critical fire weather conditions are possible in some areas, partially due to widespread single digit relative humidity values today and tomorrow, with poor overnight recoveries tonight.

MOISTURE RETURN NEXT WEEK:

Gradually the center of high pressure will move more over the South Central Plains, which will allow for moisture to advect into the Southwest, including our region. Chances of showers and thunderstorms increases on Sunday with the initial onset of moisture, but very dry surface conditions and limited forcing will make it difficult for rain to reach the ground. Each day PoPs and QPF will increase and become more widespread as moisture continues to advect into the region and a few shortwaves move within the flow. There is still a large amount of uncertainty regarding the magnitude of this moisture push, but models continue to favor a midweek jump in QPF.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1120 AM MDT Fri Aug 7 2026

Winds are expected to be calmer today, though some gusts up to 20 kts are likely at KASE, KDRO, and KHDN during the afternoon. Otherwise, skies are clear and VFR conditions persist.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Heat Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ006. Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for COZ006. UT...Heat Advisory until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ022-027. Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Saturday for UTZ022-027. Heat Advisory from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Sunday for UTZ022-027.