textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Freezing temperatures are expected tonight over the southern valleys. A Freeze Warning is in effect.

- Additional measurable snow expected over the northern and central Colorado mountains Thursday evening into early Friday.

- Widespread freezing temperatures are expected Friday night. A Freeze Watch has been issued where vegetation is susceptible to freezing temperatures.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1030 PM MDT Wed Apr 1 2026

MORE ACTIVE WEATHER THURSDAY & FRIDAY:

We get a short break Thursday before the next trough...a colder system...moves through late Thursday through Friday. This system looks to bring another round of showers and thunderstorms to the area mainly Thursday afternoon into the overnight. The frontogenesis is particularly strong Thursday afternoon and evening so expect the focus for develop along that front. The focus for precipitation will be the northern and central mountains, as well as surrounding valleys. Snow levels will be lower with the cooler temperatures, especially after the frontal passage. Hazardous travel is possible at pass level Thursday night into Friday morning.

This system will also bring gusty winds with many valleys seeing gusts above 45 mph Thursday afternoon. Higher gusts are possible within the stronger storms. The Highway 40 corridor could see a quick change over to snow, and along with the wind, could make for potentially difficult travel.

FREEZING TEMPERATURES:

As the next system exits the region, colder air settles into the forecast area. As previously discussed, the growing season has started for many locations. Some of those locations have high chances of dropping below freezing. Those chances are more borderline for portions of southwest Colorado and southeast Utah. The one issue with this forecast is cloud cover, which would keep temperatures warmer than suggested. If those clouds were to clear the chances for freezing temperatures increase. As a result, a Freeze Warning has been issued for areas most susceptible to sub freezing temperatures. On Friday night, the chances for clear skies is much high, so confidence is better for seeing widespread freezing temperatures. Temperatures moderate slightly going into Saturday night, so not as many locations are going see those freezing temperatures. Remain vigilant in protecting susceptible vegetation for the next few nights.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Temperatures rebound above normal this weekend as weak high pressure builds back in. Models keep things on the progressive side, likely sending a few clouds across the region, but little in the way of precipitation at the moment. Temperatures climb back up around 10 degrees over normal early next week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1158 PM MDT Wed Apr 1 2026

Low to mid clouds will continue to slowly lift from west to east overnight through some MVFR to IFR conditions will remain possible for KDHN, KASE, KEGE, KGUC and KTEX. A possibility of fog/stratus developing over the KDRO overnight still remains in the wake of the heavy precipitation today. Confidence still not high enough but will continue using satellite and obs to monitor and update as necessary.Conditions should become VFR heading towards 18Z but only for a short while before another system reintroduces midlevel clouds.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Thursday for COZ001-002- 005>008-011-020-021. Freeze Watch from late Thursday night through Friday morning for COZ001-006>008-011-020>023. Freeze Warning until 8 AM MDT Thursday for COZ021>023. UT...Wind Advisory from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT Thursday for UTZ024-027- 029. Freeze Watch from late Thursday night through Friday morning for UTZ024-027-029.