textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Seasonal temperatures expected today with only localized critical fire weather conditions. Smoke is visible across the region today due to a fire burning south of Salt Lake City.

- Red Flag Warnings have been issued for Monday afternoon across much of southwest Colorado.

- Triple digit heat expected by mid-week with moisture chances returning late week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1030 AM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

THE REST OF TODAY:

Daytime highs today will be running around normal, with generally sunny skies and lighter winds for the first day of Summer. Gusty winds will mainly be confined to the Divide. Critical fire weather conditions exist today, but will be fairly localized. You may be wondering why things are smoky/hazy today. This is due to the Iron Fire which is burning in Salt Lake City's CWA. It is currently mapped at just under 14,000 acres. The HRRR smoke model shows that this smoke will stick with us through at least tomorrow.

START OF THE WORK WEEK & LATE WEEK MOISTURE CHANCES:

This week will be characterized by predominately zonal flow with a few subtle shortwave troughs occasionally interrupting the flow. With that being said, those subtle troughs will do little to break us out of the hot, dry, windy spell. Critical fire weather conditions will be around through at least mid-week, with southwest Colorado getting in on the action first with gusts upwards of 30 mph. Red Flag Warnings (1PM-8PM) are in effect for most of southwest Colorado for Monday. Expect gusty conditions to be around each afternoon for most of the CWA. See the Fire Weather section for more information on that. Temperatures are expected to peak Tuesday and Wednesday, with triple digit highs forecasted for the desert valleys of eastern Utah and western Colorado.

There is finally some semblance of moisture returning to the region later in the week. PWATs are forecasted to be around 160-180% of normal, but it may be difficult for moisture to break through in the way of wetting rain due to the strong dry airmass we have been situated under for the past week or so. The GFS ensemble appears to keep moisture confined mainly to the Four Corners area, with the Euro Ensemble bringing chances for moisture further north towards the I-70 corridor. Keep in mind, it is still fairly early to tell how this may pan out and HiRes guidance may begin to paint a better picture as the day gets closer. Expect adjustments to the forecast as the week progresses.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/

Issued at 1131 AM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

VFR conditions will prevail through the TAF period. Gusty winds will be around this afternoon, mainly at terminals near the Divide. Gusts will fall within the 20-25 kt range. Winds will resume a light and terrain driven pattern for the overnight hours. Smoke will be visible at most terminals through the period. Opted to only include it in KCNY TAF because there appears to be little impacts to overall visibility everywhere else. Aside from that, skies will be mostly clear with a few passing high clouds.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1030 AM MDT Sun Jun 21 2026

Critical fire weather conditions will be fairly localized today, with gusts mainly confined to the Divide. Conditions will then begin to become more widespread by Monday into mid-week. Red Flag Warnings are in effect for Monday (1PM-8PM) for most of southwest Colorado. Gusts are expected to be upwards of 30 mph, with locally higher gusts possible. Single-digit RH is also expected during this time, with triple digit daytime highs expected Tuesday and Wednesday for the desert valleys. Some moisture may be allowed to enter the region by late week which may bring an increase in RH and lower magnitude wind speeds. Continue to follow our forecast as updates are made.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Monday for COZ207- 290>295. UT...None.