textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Generally dry conditions with near-normal temperatures are expected Monday, although an isolated mountain shower or two is possible.

- A frontal boundary could deliver some additional showers mainly over high terrain Tuesday and Wednesday with breezy afternoon winds.

- A warming trend will continue through the week. Triple digits will remain confined to the Four Corners and low desert valleys.

- Moisture and precipitation chances increase this weekend.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1050 PM MDT Sun Aug 16 2026

High pressure will remain elongated across the area south of the Four Corners with another dry day on Monday and limited moisture which may result in a few isolated showers over the high terrain mainly along the Divide and eastern Uintas. With the dry air mass in place and dry low levels, wetting rain is not anticipated. The ridge will flatten on Tuesday and Wednesday as a weak frontal boundary and shortwave tracks across the north. This will result in a tightened surface gradient and some breezy afternoon winds with gusts in the 20 to 30 mph range mainly across the north. Some isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible over the high terrain both Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon with gusty outflow winds and lightning more of a concern than wetting rain at this point. Towards the end of the week, the ridge of high pressure will build back over the region resulting in a warmup in temperatures with highs rising into the upper 90s and low triple digits for the lower desert valleys of east-central and southeast Utah and west-central Colorado. Residual moisture will work in around the high, mainly across the south with scattered showers and storms possible over the high terrain each afternoon. Otherwise, most areas look to remain hot and dry.

Late Friday heading into the weekend, models are indicating a low pressure trough moving onto the Pacific Northwest coast and pushing further inland. This nudges the high pressure ridge further east to allow for a more favorable southerly tap of monsoonal moisture to return to the region. As a result, storm/precipitation chances and coverage look to increase with the higher terrain favored each afternoon with some potential spread into valleys late in the day. Hot temperatures look to remain through Saturday with highs 5 to 10 degrees above normal before dropping to near normal Sunday into early next week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z TUESDAY/

Issued at 1141 PM MDT Sun Aug 16 2026

Skies will continue to be mostly clear throughout the night. Dry weather and light, terrain driven winds are expected through the morning. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible over the high terrain after 18Z but TAF site impacts are unlikely. VFR conditions will prevail.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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