FXUS65 KGJT 211808

AFDGJT



Area Forecast Discussion

National Weather Service Grand Junction CO

1208 PM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026



.KEY MESSAGES...



- Hot and dry weather continues through the seven-day forecast

  with the chance to set daily high temperature records each

  afternoon.



- Hot, dry, and windy conditions will lead to critical weather

  concerns this afternoon in areas where fuels are deemed 

  critical.



&&



.DISCUSSION...

Issued at 1207 PM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026



RINSE AND REPEAT: Warm and Dry Conditions Continue



High pressure continues to drive the forecast for the week 

ahead as record-setting heat builds across the Desert Southwest.

While temperatures moderate some tomorrow, the reprieve will be

short lived. Afternoon highs are projected to remain 15 to 25 

degrees above normal with daily high temperature records 

continuing to be up for grabs through the forecast period. The 

March all-time high temperature record at the Grand Junction 

Airport, which currently sits at 85 (yesterday's high 

temperature), remains up for grabs as well. While PWATs aloft 

increase Sunday and beyond, measurable precipitation will be 

hard to come by in this hot and dry regime.



&&



.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/...

Issued at 1149 AM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026



Winds are expected to come up across western Colorado and 

eastern Utah this afternoon with westerly winds as high pressure

collapses and stronger winds aloft mix down to the surface. 

Terminals will gust 25-30 mph across the region this afternoon 

then subside near dusk this evening, with light overnight winds.

VFR conditions continue under mostly clear skies, with some 

scattered/broken high clouds streaming through.



&&



.FIRE WEATHER...

Issued at 1149 AM MDT Sat Mar 21 2026



Hot, dry, and windy conditions will lead to critical weather 

conditions this afternoon where fuels are deemed critical 

(northwest Colorado). Wind gusts up to 40 mph will join forces 

with single-digit relative humidity values and unseasonably warm

temperatures. As such, Red Flag Warnings have been issued 

through 8 PM this evening. Elsewhere, fuels are not deemed 

critical, but burning could get out of hand on this hot, dry, 

and windy day.



&&



.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...



CO...Red Flag Warning until 8 PM MDT this evening for COZ200>202.

UT...None.



&&



$$



DISCUSSION...KAA

AVIATION...LTB

FIRE WEATHER...KAA