FXUS65 KGJT 201832

AFDGJT



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Grand Junction CO

1232 PM MDT Mon Apr 20 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Showers and a few isolated thunderstorms are possible in the

  southern and central mountains this afternoon and Tuesday 

  afternoon.

 

- Wind gusts of 40-55 mph will be common across the area on

  Wednesday afternoon ahead of the next storm system. 



- Unsettled...cooler and wetter weather...will move in late week

  into the weekend.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 1230 PM MDT Mon Apr 20 2026



QUIET WEATHER



Southerly flow is ushering in moisture that may support isolated 

showers over the San Juans this afternoon. Lingering mositure along 

the divide will then lead to another round of isolated to scattered 

convection Tuesday afternoon...the warmest day of the forecast. Most 

of these showers will only produce virga versus actual wetting rain. 

Elsewhere will experience dry conditions.





PATTERN SHIFT



A strong low pressure will track over the PacNW and Great Basin 

tomorrow and Wednesday. This causes a tight pressure gradient over 

our area so expect a rather windy day on Wednesday. Most valleys 

will get wind gusts around 40-55 mph in the afternoon. The cold 

front arrives to our NW CWA late in the day on Wednesday. The well 

mixed atmosphere ahead of this will lead to high based showers 

enhancing the wind threat and some higher gusts will be possible. 

The northern half of the CWA will get the bulk of this initial 

part of the system with snow across the high peaks of the 

northern mountains. At this time impacts will be limited to 

brief winter driving conditions over the passes.



The forecast gets more complicated beyond that as several pieces of 

energy associated with the main low pressure impact the area. So 

this will keep precipitation chances going through the weekend. 

During this time the mountains will be favored for periods of snow, 

which could impact travel. Snow levels range from about 6-8 kft and 

perhaps lower at night. The highest chances may be on Sunday as a 

low pressure off the coast of California gets absorbed into the 

trough causing it to track near our area. This would result in more 

widespread precipitation. Temperatures through this active period 

will be below normal.



&&



.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z TUESDAY/...

Issued at 1105 AM MDT Mon Apr 20 2026



Some breezy winds are anticipated this afternoon, primarily at 

KEGE, KRIL, and KHDN where gusts are expected to be near 20 kts.

Stronger gusts are likely tomorrow, though not until beyond the

TAF period (after 18 UTC). There is a slight chance for light

showers at KTEX today, but overall, VFR conditions will dominate

across the region throughout the next 24 hours.



&&



.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...



CO...Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for COZ001-002-

     006>008-011-020>022.

UT...Wind Advisory from 9 AM to 9 PM MDT Wednesday for UTZ022-024-

     027-029.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...TGJT

AVIATION...TGJT