286
FXUS65 KGJT 050345
AFDGJT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
945 PM MDT Sat Apr 4 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Sub-freezing temperatures are expected tonight into Sunday
  morning for some valleys and possibly again Sunday
  night/Monday morning for the higher valleys.

- Warmer and drier conditions are expected Sunday afternoon
  with temperatures warming up to around 10 degrees above normal
  through the coming week.

- A few rounds of light precipitation will favor the mountains
  this week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 945 PM MDT Sat Apr 4 2026

ONE MORE NIGHT OF FREEZING TEMPS BEFORE WARMING UP:

We will see one more night of widespread below freezing
temperatures although some locations, particularly the lower
desert valleys of eastern Utah and west-central Colorado will be
a few degrees warmer than previous nights. A Freeze Warning
remains in effect for most valley locations through 9 am Sunday
morning. The aforementioned Grand Valley and southeast Utah
valleys are not included in the Freeze Warning due to milder
temperatures staying above freezing for the majority of those
zones.

Northwest flow will transition to a westerly flow by Sunday
afternoon as the ridge of high pressure moves overhead. This
will help temperatures moderate about 5 to 10 degrees from
Saturday as the warmup commences and will continue into the
coming week.

By Sunday night, lows are expected to be right at or slightly
above freezing for most valleys. We`ll keep an eye on how
temperatures perform tonight to determine if any valley forecast
zones need a Freeze Warning on Sunday night, but with such
borderline temperatures in the forecast, we decided to hold off
for now.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Throughout the work week, we will receive modest pulses of
moisture that will prompt a few rounds of light precipitation
favoring the higher elevations. The first such shortwave skirts
the Four Corners Monday afternoon into Tuesday favoring the
southern and central high terrain. A few other embedded
shortwaves skirt the north periodically mid to late week. Light
snow accumulations are possible at and above pass level.
Everyone else will see light rain and isolated thunderstorms
from time to time. These shortwaves don`t appear to impact
temperatures much as highs continue to warm to around 10 degrees
above normal on average throughout the week under a general
west to southwest flow.

&&

.AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z MONDAY/...
Issued at 439 PM MDT Sat Apr 4 2026

VFR conditions prevail across the area throughout the TAF period.
Clear skies and light-terrain driven winds are also expected
through the next 24 hours.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

CO...Freeze Warning until 9 AM MDT Sunday for COZ001-007-008-011-
     020>023.
UT...Freeze Warning until 9 AM MDT Sunday for UTZ024.

&&

$$

DISCUSSION...MDA/TGJT
AVIATION...TGJT