Grand Junction, Colorado 7 Day Weather Forecast

Wx Forecast - Wx Discussion - Wx Aviation

727
FXUS65 KGJT 232146
AFDGJT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
346 PM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Smoke may continue to be visible across the region due to
  fires burning in Utah, especially this evening and tomorrow
  morning.

- Red Flag Warnings are in effect through 10 PM for southeast
  Utah, southwest Colorado, and along the Divide north to the
  Wyoming Border. Critical fire weather conditions become more
  localized tomorrow.

- Chances for showers and thunderstorms increase tomorrow, and
  will become more widespread on Thursday.

- Hot, dry, and windy conditions return on Friday. Fire Weather
  Watches are in effect on both Friday and Saturday.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 248 PM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026

WILDFIRE SMOKE:

Periods of smoky skies are expected today and tomorrow. This is
primarily due to two wildfires in Utah, the Iron Fire and the
Cottonwood Fire. Mostly zonal flow will transport this smoke
across eastern Utah and western Colorado through tomorrow, and
potentially beyond. This may impact air quality at times, so be
sure to stay informed about smoke and air quality information.

FIRE WEATHER AND MIDWEEK MOISTURE:

Hot, dry, and windy conditions will persist through today and
some of tomorrow. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect today for
much of the Four Corners area and along the Divide through the
evening. Critical fire weather conditions become more localized
tomorrow as a plume of moisture moves in from the southwest and
raises relative humidities. Due to already borderline wind gusts
and the potential for wildfire smoke to reduce the mixing down
of stronger winds aloft, and more localized coverage, Red Flag
Warnings have not been issued for tomorrow. However, the
greatest coverage of these localized conditions looks to be
along and north of I-70 conditions.

Elevated moisture starting tomorrow afternoon increases the
risk of dry thunderstorms, but will also increase the chance of
wetting rains. After the long stretch of dry surface conditions,
virga and dry thunderstorms are expected at first, but as more
moisture advects into the region wetting rains will become more
likely. This increased moisture will raise relative humidities
above critical fire weather thresholds on Thursday. Precipitation
from this moisture will be possible through Thursday night.

Drier air moves in on Friday, dropping relative humidities
again. Additionally, strong winds are forecast as a closed low
in the Pacific Northwest brings a much stronger pressure
gradient and jet aloft to our region. This is expected to raise
surface wind gusts significantly above critical fire weather
thresholds. So, Fire Weather Watches have been issued for Friday
and Saturday.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 1150 AM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026

VFR conditions continue across the region through the TAF
period. Winds will pick up this afternoon gusting 20-30 mph.
Wildfire smoke will drift across the region leading to some
obscured visibilities along the I-70 corridor and northward.
Winds will decrease around sunset and return to their night time
down-valley direction.

&&

.FIRE WEATHER...
Issued at 248 PM MDT Tue Jun 23 2026

Critical fire weather conditions will continue through the
evening today where Red Flag Warnings are in effect. Tomorrow
critical fire weather conditions become more localized, but the
greatest coverage of these localized conditions will be near and
north of I-70. A moisture push from the southwest tomorrow will
increase chances of dry thunderstorms and wetting rains. Dry
thunderstorms and virga is most likely during the initial onset
of showers and storms, as dry surface conditions will make it
difficult for rain to reach the ground. As atmospheric moisture
increases during the day, chances of wetting rains will increase
as well. Precipitation is expected to continue through Thursday
night. This moisture will raise relative humidities above
critical fire weather thresholds on Thursday, but drier
conditions return by Friday. The return of drier air, alongside
a strong increase in wind gusts, raises fire weather concerns
for Friday and Saturday. Saturday looks to be the most
concerning day, with widespread single digit relative humidities
and gusts of 35 to 50 mph currently forecast. Fire Weather
Watches have been issued for both Friday and Saturday.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

CO...Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday
     evening for COZ200-202-203-207-290.
     Red Flag Warning until 10 PM MDT this evening for COZ201-205-
     207-290>295.
UT...Red Flag Warning until 10 PM MDT this evening for UTZ491.
     Fire Weather Watch from Friday afternoon through late Saturday
     night for UTZ486-487-490-491.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...GF
AVIATION...TGJT
FIRE WEATHER...TGJT