textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Freeze Warnings are in place for the Yampa River Basin and central Colorado River Basin until 9 AM this morning.

- Valley rain showers and snow showers above 8500 feet with isolated thunderstorms across the mountains Thursday and Friday, with some accumulating snow possible on the high mountain passes from Vail Pass southward.

- Temperatures warm above average this weekend, with isolated showers on the mountains each afternoon.

- The next storm system bringing a chance for rain comes through about Monday.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1026 PM MDT Wed Apr 29 2026

Due to some cold air advection and clearing skies, below freezing temperatures will settle into some of our valleys this morning, most notably the Yampa and central Colorado River Basins. The Freeze Warning currently in place is set to expire at 9 AM.

A weak low-pressure system is set to traverse Baja on Thursday, ushering in a shift in the regional weather regime. As the low begins tracking inland, its counter-clockwise circulation will advect subtropical moisture into the area through Friday. Expect isolated to widely scattered showers during the day Thursday, primarily concentrated over the higher terrain, with a few isolated thunderstorms possible. By Thursday evening, cooling temperatures will transition rain to light snow across the peaks. While the Northern Mountains will see minimal accumulations, higher amounts are expected from Vail Pass southward. The San Juans stand to benefit the most from this system, as they will tap into the moisture for a longer duration. This being said, expected accumulations remain below thresholds for winter headlines, but with a few inches possible on the high mountain passes, be prepared for patchy slick roads through Friday.

THE WEEKEND AND NEXT WEEK:

Upper level ridging begins to build back in come Saturday. This will lead to above normal temperatures through the weekend. Isolated to scattered afternoon showers will continue in the mountains, especially in the San Juans as we hang on to remnant moisture. All other areas will remain relatively dry, with light winds. Models seem to be in agreement about a low pushing across the Great Basin Monday bringing our next chance for rain. This system is still far out, and models are bouncing between more and less total precip from this system, but the trend is for pretty insignificant amounts for eastern Utah and the far western Colorado with more possible in the central and northern Colorado mountains. With that being said, in lieu of this system, temperatures are trending back towards normal for most of next week with the troughing overhead and increased cloud cover.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1127 PM MDT Wed Apr 29 2026

Mid and high level clouds pass through overnight with isolated showers possible but leaving VFR to IlS conditions in place. Heating of the day will lead to another round of shower and thunderstorm activity mainly impacting the mountain and eastern TAF sites. ILS and low probability MVFR conditions are possible under passing showers tomorrow afternoon.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Freeze Warning until 9 AM MDT Thursday for COZ002-008. UT...None.