textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Unseasonably mild temperatures continue across the region, with highs 5-15 degrees above normal with potentially record- breaking temperatures on Monday.

- A weak disturbance brings additional snow to the higher elevations of the Northern/Central Mountains beginning Sunday.

- Mild conditions continue through late next week with additional snowfall for mountain locales around 9-10,000 feet.

SHORT TERM /THROUGH SATURDAY NIGHT/

Issued at 1245 PM MST Fri Feb 27 2026

Ridging is dominant along the West Coast, extending from an area of high pressure over the Baja Peninsula. To the east of the Divide, longwave troughing is dominant. Over eastern Utah and western Colorado, that means dry northwesterly flow aloft. A modest 80-90 knot jet aloft will bring high clouds, and the potential for breezy afternoon winds today. Gusts of 20-25 mph will be possible across the lower elevations, while gust closer to 30 mph will be possible up high. This pattern will persist through much of the day tomorrow, although flow aloft will gradually shift to westerly as the ridge is flattened by an approaching closed low. This transition to zonal flow will begin to advect increasing moisture, with forecast PWAT values climbing from 70-100% of normal during the day tomorrow to 170-200% of normal late tomorrow night/early Sunday morning. Due to this, clouds will be on the increase through the afternoon and evening, with light orographic showers breaking out over the northern and central mountains tomorrow night. Any snow accumulations out of these showers will be light, under an inch, and generally confined above 9k feet. Temperatures remain unseasonably warm, with highs tracking 10-15 degrees above normal and lows running 5-10 degrees above normal.

LONG TERM /SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY/

Issued at 1245 PM MST Fri Feb 27 2026

A cutoff low working ashore Sunday will send a strong burst of warm air into the region behind the already warm air mass in place. This will drive afternoon highs 15-20 degrees above normal for early March. Enough moisture to constitute a weak atmospheric river streams across northeast Utah and northwest Colorado Sunday. This will produce some light snow for the Northern Mountains. Unfortunately, high temperatures and elevated snow levels will keep measurable snow above 9000 feet Sunday afternoon, as the richest moisture rolls through. By Monday morning, the low degrades into an open wave over the Great Basin. A weak southwesterly jet max ahead of the upper trough will drive up surface winds across the mountains with gusts to around 35 mph. This will also turn up the heat another notch, with low elevations around the Four Corners approaching 80 degrees Monday afternoon. The weak frontal boundary along the left exit of the jet max will raise precipitation chances across our northern counties Monday afternoon, but weak moisture will likely only contribute trace amounts of rain/snow.

The main cold front with this wave works through Tuesday, with another round of valley rain and mountain snow showers around 8000 feet and higher. Accumulations and impacts are expected to remain minimal to nil. Wednesday and beyond, model guidance shifts to a more progressive pattern, keeping temperatures from surging back upward. Unfortunately, meaningful cold air remains well out of reach and temperatures will remain well above normal with a slight cooling trend by week's end. Light mountain snow remains in the forecast each day, but significant accumulations are not expected.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 413 PM MST Fri Feb 27 2026

VFR conditions prevail this afternoon and winds are beginning to calm down. All terminals are expected to see light, terrain- driven winds beginning this evening and lasting through the TAF period.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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