textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Isolated showers and storms are possible through Friday.

- Gusty winds return Thursday, with afternoon gusts to around 25 to 35 mph for much of the region.

- Precipitation chances increase this Labor Day weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 931 PM MDT Wed Sep 2 2026

WINDY AND DRIER THROUGH FRIDAY:

Windy conditions are expected through Friday, with the gusts around 25 to 35 mph. This is due to an increased pressure gradient and periods of stronger winds aloft as the trough moves deeper into the West. Drier air moves in today which will keep precipitation chances pretty low through the rest of the workweek. However, some isolated afternoon convection is possible over the higher terrain tomorrow and Friday.

RETURN OF MOISTURE THIS WEEKEND:

This weekend a low pressure will be anchored over the Pacific Northwest with high pressure over the Southern Plains. This will result in southwest flow aloft, which will advect moisture back into the area. Each day we should see an increase in showers and storms. Sunday and Monday seem to be the peak moisture. Also, the models are indicating the potential for shortwaves rotating around the main low over the Pacific Northwest. If that happens increased forcing could help with precipitation development. Given PWATs over 200 percent of normal there will be a chance for heavy rainfall. That potential will be dictated by whether there is enough clearing for instability. The ground is pretty saturated in spots so it might not take much to trigger flooding and debris flows. Where the models begin to disagree is if the moisture plume sticks around or if the shortwave activity pushes the moisture plume to our southeast. Therefore confidence in the forecast early next week is not high attm. Temperatures during this period should end up near normal to below normal especially with the cloud cover and rain.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1119 PM MDT Wed Sep 2 2026

Isolated showers and thunderstorms will be exiting the northeast CWA in the next few hours leaving convective debris clouds to drift through overnight. Lingering moisture over the southern mountains may lead to more showers and storms tomorrow afternoon. Winds will be stronger through the afternoon with gusts in the 25 to 30 mph possible at several TAF sites. Otherwise VFR prevails over the next 24 hours.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...None. UT...None.