141
FXUS65 KGJT 272102
AFDGJT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
302 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Isolated to scattered showers with isolated thunderstorms are
  possible this afternoon, favoring the high terrain, but
  amounts are expected to be minor.

- Two weather systems move through the area tomorrow through
  Sunday, which will bring cooler weather, gusty winds and
  precipitation chances to the region.

- Snow will be confined to the mountains with amounts of 4-10
  inches generally above 8 kft by the end of the weekend.

- Additional storms are possible next week that will bring more
  mountain snow and valley rain to the region.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH FRIDAY NIGHT/...
Issued at 226 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025

A weak shortwave trough passing to our south has advected moisture
into the forecast area therefore daytime heating has resulted in
showers over the high terrain. Not much accumulation is expected
from these showers and in some cases they may only enhance wind
gusts. The ridge that has been in place the past few days has
allowed record temperatures for many locations. The places where
clouds develop should see some cooling, but mostly sunny skies will
mean record highs. The shower activity dissipates this evening after
sunset. The next system to impact our area will make landfall along
the West Coast late tonight so we see increasing clouds tomorrow.
The system is a weak shortwave trough that is due to arrive in
the evening. The associated moisture and forcing from the wave
will result in scattered to widespread showers across the
region. All of this equates to lower temperatures tomorrow, but
still above normal. A cold front looks to pass through in the
evening. Ahead of that system the increased pressure gradient
will support strong winds, with gusts around 25-40 mph tomorrow
afternoon with the highest speeds on peaks and ridges. A bulk of
the precipitation that falls through Friday night will be in
the high terrain with the highest amounts in the central and
northern mountains. Snow levels initially will be around 9 kft,
but drop to 7- 8 kft Friday night. This along with precip rates
will allow snow to reach some of the valleys. As of now snow
amounts below around 8 kft are only a few inches. Above that
elevation the amounts range from 3-8 inches by sunrise on
Saturday.

&&

.LONG TERM /SATURDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY/...
Issued at 226 PM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025

Anomalously high moisture lingers over the CWA behind the cold front
Saturday with ensemble-indicated PWAT`s around 120-160% of normal
during the early afternoon period. Some favorable upper-level
dynamics may continue during this period as well considering the GFS
is hinting at a mild, transient shortwave moving through the region
during mid-day Saturday. Either way, the post-frontal environment
should be suitable for continued isolated showers across the region
and we will likely see a near-seamless transition into the mid-
weekend storm system. This arises with the passage of a moderate
amplitude trough ejecting from the PacNW across the Intermountain
West, reaching the Rockies overnight Saturday into Sunday.
Precipitation is likely to occur north of I-70, but guidance has
failed to come into agreement regarding many of the details of this
system, such as timing and intensity. Temperatures will be dropping
during this period though, bringing snow levels to 5-7kft throughout
the remainder of the weekend, so upper valleys should see an
increased chance for snow should it begin to precipitate there.

As volatile as models are throughout Sunday, cluster analysis
indicates moderate to strong agreement among ensembles with 500-hPa
ridging occurring to our north and diffluent flow locally
Monday afternoon. As such, despite the ECMWF and GEFS suggesting
that our moisture content will have mostly dried up following
this weekend, 30-60% PoP`s are still present north of US-50.
Models diverge Tuesday, but clusters are keying in on a broad
trough impacting the western CONUS as we dive into mid next
week. This weekend`s quick-hitting train of storms is at the
forefront of interest right now, but we will keep an eye on any
development regarding this potential mid-week trough as we get
closer.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z FRIDAY/...
Issued at 1123 AM MDT Thu Mar 27 2025

Scattered cloud cover has formed across portions of the CWA and
should persist throughout this afternoon. Isolated showers are
also appearing across the region. Most terminals are not
expected to be impacted, though KTEX has a heightened chance at
seeing some precipitation, thus VCSH has been included in this
TAF through 00Z. Almost all terminals should anticipate strong
gusts upwards of 30 mph picking up over the next few hours, and
LLWS is possible at KEGE and KHDN throughout tonight.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

CO...None.
UT...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...KJS
LONG TERM...BW
AVIATION...TGJT