textproduct: Grand Junction

KEY MESSAGES

- Critical fire weather conditions continue through tomorrow, with afternoon gusts of 35-45mph and low relative humidities.

- Red Flag Warnings are in effect for much of eastern Utah and portions of southwest Colorado from 1PM to 8PM Friday.

- A pattern shift this weekend will bring cooler temps, increased cloud cover, and a chance of showers.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1154 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026

Current satellite imagery shows mostly clear skies throughout the area today. The upper level pattern features a deep low spinning over the Great Basin and amplified ridging east of the Divide. This causes a tight pressure gradient between each feature, resulting in gusty conditions each afternoon through tomorrow. The flow will continue to be dry southwesterly, which is giving way to critical fire weather conditions each day through tomorrow. See the fire weather section for more information on that. As the parent low continues to be stalled over the Great Basin, daytime highs will continue to run 5-10 degrees above normal during this time period. The counterclockwise flow around the low will allow some lingering moisture to stick around the spine of the Divide and create some stray showers.

The low over the Great Basin will finally begin to break down Friday into Saturday, and will put the critical fire weather conditions to a rest for the time being. The now open wave tracks across the Western Slope during this time period, resulting in increased moisture, cloud cover, and showers. Current model guidance is favoring shower activity along the higher terrain and north of the I- 70 corridor. With the passing of this system, temperatures will begin to cool, dropping to around 5 degrees below normal before warming to near normal Sunday.

AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1154 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026

Widespread gusty winds are expected this afternoon, up to around 15 to 25 kts. Cloud cover will increase this afternoon, but will mostly clear early tomorrow morning. VFR conditions will prevail.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1154 AM MDT Thu May 28 2026

A deep closed low will continue to be stalled over the Great Basin before breaking down this weekend. The pressure gradient remains tight, leading to gusty surface winds each afternoon through tomorrow. Dry southwesterly flow will continue to dominate during this time period causing relative humidity to drop below 15%, particularly in eastern Utah and portions of southwest Colorado. Due to this, previous Fire Weather Watches for Friday have been upgraded to Red Flag Warnings for the same time period. A pattern shift this weekend brings lighter winds, increased moisture, and cooler temperatures, bringing an end to this period of elevated fire weather concerns.

GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

CO...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ207-290- 292. Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Friday for COZ207-290- 292. UT...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for UTZ486-487- 490-491. Red Flag Warning from 1 PM to 8 PM MDT Friday for UTZ486-487- 490-491.