textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Temperatures climb back 10-15 degrees above normal.

- Periodic showers and storms are expected this week. Precipitation will favor the higher terrain.

- A series of storms work ashore out west late this weekend, spelling out cooler, wetter conditions for the West Slope.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1152 AM MDT Tue Apr 7 2026

Warming Up

Weak orographics will continue to take advantage of melting snow and available mountain moisture, sparking thunderstorms and isolated showers over the mountains(favoring San Juans) this afternoon. This threat subsides some Wednesday, but non zero chances remain. Temperatures are expected to continue warming up as high pressure builds in from the west. Afternoon highs will trend 10-15 degrees over climatology. Localized critical fire weather conditions develop around afternoon wind gusts. A clipper wave to our north will bring some cloud cover and gusty winds Wednesday afternoon, but little in the way of precipitation chances.

Precipitation Chances Return

High pressure begins to flatten Thursday as another Pacific storm waits in the queue. This introduces some moisture making its way across the Great Basin. Orographics return across the mountains too, bringing some precipitation chances back into the region. Southwesterly flow across the Four Corners will bring the warmest temperatures of the week Thursday and Friday afternoon.

Cooling Trend

Back to back systems work ashore out west this weekend. Models promise this to be a cooling trend, with temperatures back near normal Sunday and beyond. Additional moisture arrives too, spelling out more widespread shower activity across the region. Lower valleys could see some rain also. It's still early to lock anything in, but a cooler, wetter trend is shaping up for early next week.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 516 PM MDT Tue Apr 7 2026

This evening showers will dissipate and winds decrease. VFR conditions are expected through the rest of the period. Gusty winds are possible again tomorrow afternoon along with some passing clouds.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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