608
FXUS65 KGJT 031736
AFDGJT
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND JUNCTION CO
1136 AM MDT FRI APR 3 2026
KEY MESSAGES
- FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT FOR MOST VALLEYS,
AND AGAIN SATURDAY NIGHT FOR A FEW LESS VALLEYS.
- DRIER AND WARMER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND.
- CHANCES ARE INCREASING OF MORE WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION
ACROSS THE REGION MID TO LATE NEXT WEEK.
DISCUSSION
ISSUED AT 1057 AM MDT FRI APR 3 2026
SNOW SHOWERS
WRAP AROUND MOISTURE FROM THE CLOSED LOW PRESSURE OVER THE HIGH
PLAINS IS ADVECTING INTO THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL MOUNTAINS. THIS
MOISTURE AND OROGRAPHIC LIFT HAS RESULTED IN SCATTERED SNOW SHOWERS.
IN GENERAL THE RATES WILL BE LIGHT, BUT THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS COULD
SEE 1-4 INCHES BY THIS EVENING. QUIET CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED
ELSEWHERE.
FREEZING TEMPERATURES
THE POST FRONTAL AIRMASS HAS SETTLED INTO THE REGION, SO HIGHS TODAY
ACTUALLY END UP COOLER THAN NORMAL. TONIGHT MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES AND
DRIER LOW LEVEL AIR WILL SUPPORT SUB FREEZING TEMPERATURES ONCE
AGAIN FOR MOST VALLEYS. TEMPERATURES WILL BEGIN TO MODERATE SO SOME
OF THE LOWER OR DESERT VALLEYS LOOK TO STAY ABOVE FREEZING SATURDAY
NIGHT. HIGHER VALLEYS ARE STILL EXPECTED TO HAVE ANOTHER FREEZE. BY
SUNDAY NIGHT THAT AREA SHRINKS TO JUST A FEW VALLEYS.
WARM RETURNS
THIS WEEKEND TEMPERATURES REBOUND ABOVE NORMAL AS HIGH PRESSURE
BUILDS BACK OVER THE REGION. EARLY NEXT WEEK A BRIEF PERIOD OF
SOUTHWEST FLOW COULD ADVECT MOISTURE BACK TO THE AREA. THERE ARE
HINTS OF A SUBTLE WAVE APPROACHING FROM THE WEST THAT WILL FLATTEN
THE RIDGE. IT MAY ALSO PROVIDE LIFT FOR SHOWERS ESPECIALLY ACROSS
THE SOUTH ON MONDAY AND PERHAPS TUESDAY. THE PATTERN APPEARS TO
STAY PROGRESSIVE NEXT WEEK, SO WE MAY BE DEALING WITH MORE
WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE REGION.
AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SATURDAY/
ISSUED AT 1131 AM MDT FRI APR 3 2026
VFR CONDITIONS WILL PREVAIL FOR MOST TERMINALS THIS AFTERNOON. A
FEW LOW TO MID CLOUDS WILL FORM ON THE MOUNTAINS, BUT BREAKPOINT
CEILINGS ARE NOT EXPECTED. ONE EXCEPTION: UP NORTH KHDN WILL SEE
SOME WRAPAROUND MOISTURE FROM THE DEPARTING STORM CONTINUE THIS
AFTERNOON WITH NEAR BREAKPOINT CEILINGS DURING INTERMITTENT
SHOWER ACTIVITY. THIS WILL PULL OUT BY THIS EVENING AND SKIES
WILL BEGIN TO CLEAR BY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING. WINDS WILL PICK
UP THIS AFTERNOON AROUND THE REGION WITH SOME STRONGER 20-30 MPH
GUSTS AT A FEW TERMINALS. WINDS SETTLE AT DARK AND RETURN TO
DIURNAL CYCLES.
GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES
CO...FREEZE WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM MDT SATURDAY FOR
COZ001-006>008-011-020>023.
FREEZE WATCH FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
FOR COZ001-007-008-011-020>023.
UT...FREEZE WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM MDT SATURDAY FOR
UTZ022-024-027-029.
FREEZE WATCH FROM LATE SATURDAY NIGHT THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING
FOR UTZ024.
DISCUSSION...TGJT
AVIATION...TGJT
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