FXUS65 KGJT 192335 AFDGJT Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 535 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Hot and dry conditions continue into the weekend. Gusty afternoon winds may cause elevated fire weather concerns where fuels are critical, especially on Saturday. - Record highs are forecast for most locations today through Saturday. A slight cooldown is expected on Sunday. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 1153 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 High pressure will continue to drive a period of hot and dry conditions. Expect high temperatures to be 20 to 25 degrees above normal today, increasing to around or above 25 degrees above normal on Saturday. It is likely that high temperature records will be broken over the next few days, especially on Saturday. At the Grand Junction airport the record high on Saturday is 79 degrees, which was set back in 2004. Saturday's forecast has highs in the mid to upper 80s for the Grand Junction area, which is well above the temperature record. A flattening of the high pressure area due to a system passing to our north will help to drop high temperatures by 5 to 10 degrees between Saturday and Sunday. However, high temperatures will still remain above normal through at least Thursday. Widespread strong wind gusts coupled with hot and dry conditions on Saturday raise fire weather concerns. Fire Weather Watches have been issued for Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM in northwestern Colorado where fuels are critical. The system passing on Sunday will increase PoPs a bit along the higher terrain. However, very little is expected in terms of QPF. Elevated amounts of atmospheric moisture will periodically move through the CWA after Sunday, but zonal flow and limited forcing will keep PoPs low and mostly along the highest terrain. && .AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z SATURDAY/... Issued at 533 PM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 VFR conditions will prevail with SKC through the next 24 hours. Winds will continue gusting 20 to 30 mph early this evening, becoming light and terrain driven after sunset. Some breezy conditions with gusts 20 to 25 mph are possible at higher elevation terminals Friday afternoon as well. && .FIRE WEATHER... Issued at 1153 AM MDT Thu Mar 19 2026 Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist over the next few days. On Saturday fire weather concerns look to be the most elevated due to increased afternoon wind gusts. Many high terrain areas and valleys north of I-70 could see gusts exceed 30 mph Saturday afternoon. Relative humidity is expected to drop below 10 percent for all but the highest elevations through Saturday. Fire Weather Watches have been issued for Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM in areas where fuels have been deemed critical. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...Fire Weather Watch from Saturday morning through Saturday evening for COZ200-202. UT...None. && $$ DISCUSSION...GF AVIATION...TGJT FIRE WEATHER...GF