textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Valley rain and mountain snow is forecast through late Wednesday night, with moderate snowfall rates beginning Wednesday morning.

- Snow, mainly above 9000 ft, is possible over most ranges, but will favor the San Juans and central Colorado mountains through midweek. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect beginning 6 AM Wednesday.

- Cooler temperatures can be expected over the next several days with sub freezing nighttime temperatures possible across northwest Colorado on Thursday night.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 952 PM MDT Tue Oct 13 2026

VALLEY RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW THROUGH WEDNESDAY NIGHT:

A low pressure system will bring widespread precipitation to eastern Utah and western Colorado through late Wednesday night, including valley rain and mountain snow. Water vapor imagery shows this low is currently centered along the Utah/Wyoming border, and is allowing for a steady stream of moisture-rich southwesterly flow from the Four Corners up through northwest Colorado.

As we move into the overnight hours, precipitation over the higher terrain is expected to transition to snow or a rain/snow mix as temperatures cool. The center of the low pressure system will move across western Colorado during the day Wednesday, providing substantial lift as it does so. Peak snowfall rates in the southern mountains are forecast to occur between 6 AM and 12 PM Wednesday, with light snowfall through Wednesday night. In the central and northern Colorado mountains, snowfall rates will increase Wednesday morning, with peak rates are expected between noon and midnight as the low lifts northward. Snow levels look to drop to 8,000-10,000 ft Wednesday morning, but relatively warm road conditions leading up to this event introduces uncertainty about how much snow will accumulate, especially as temperatures warm and snow levels rise during the day. Melting and wet snow could result in slushy road conditions and reduced visibilities over mountain passes, so be sure to use caution if traveling. Elevation-based Winter Weather Advisories have been issued for the San Juan Mountains and for Colorado's northern and central mountains beginning 6 AM Wednesday.

COOL AND DRY FOR THE LATTER HALF OF THE WEEK:

Drier air moves into the region after the low pressure system moves east of the Rocky Mountains on Thursday morning. The current forecast keeps precipitation chances low Thursday afternoon through Sunday, especially outside of the higher terrain areas. A much cooler airmass is left in its wake, and could lead to the first hard freeze of the year across northwest Colorado on Thursday night. Daytime highs will run around 5-10 degrees below normal through the end of the work week, with more seasonable temperatures slated to return this weekend.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 1138 AM MDT Wed Oct 14 2026

Showers and a few storms will continue through the TAF period with IFR/MVFR possible under the heavier showers and storms. Lower ceilings and visibilities will be common as the storm system moves through the area. KASE, KEGE, and KTEX may also see some snow as the system passes through. Some fog will also be possible overnight where any rain/snow has fallen as temperatures begin to drop. ILS breakpoints will be met for most TAF sites through the evening hours. Conditions will start to improve Thursday morning into the afternoon hours from southwest to northeast.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 AM MDT Thursday for COZ004-009- 010-012-013. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM MDT this evening for COZ018- 019. UT...None.