Grand Junction residents can look forward to clear skies and significantly warmer temperatures starting Thursday, as the last of the recent rain and mountain snow tapers off Wednesday night. The sun's return ushers in a pleasant forecast expected to last through the weekend.
Thursday will bring mostly sunny conditions with only a few passing clouds. Temperatures are set to rise steadily throughout the day, climbing from the upper 40s and lower 50s around 7 AM to the mid-to-upper 60s by noon, and reaching the mid-to-upper 70s by 4 PM. High temperatures in the Grand Junction area are expected to be near 80 degrees. Other Western Slope communities will see similar warmth, with highs around 74 degrees in Montrose, 78 degrees in Delta, and 73 degrees in Cortez. Morning low temperatures on Thursday will hover near 50 degrees in Grand Junction, 44 degrees in Montrose, 47 degrees in Delta, and 42 degrees in Cortez.
The recent weather pattern brought measurable rainfall to many parts of Western Colorado, although Grand Junction itself recorded only a trace amount, meaning rain fell but was not enough to register. Other areas, however, saw more substantial precipitation, described as "healthy rain" by forecasters. Durango received as much as 0.96 inches, while Montrose measured 0.23 inches, Nucla recorded 0.25 inches, and Cortez received 0.68 inches. Significant snow accumulation was also visible up high on some of the 14ers.
This rainfall may offer some small improvement in the U.S. Drought Monitor, though any changes are unlikely to appear in this week's release, which uses data from the previous Tuesday-to-Tuesday timeframe. Any potential improvement would more likely be reflected in next week's update, according to weather data.
Grand Junction concluded September with a total of 1.58 inches of rainfall. This marks the rainiest September for the city since 2022, and the third rainiest over the past ten years. Historically, it ranks as the 27th rainiest September for Grand Junction since records began in 1893.
Looking ahead, longer-range forecast trends suggest below-normal precipitation for at least the next 6-10 days, covering the first ten days of October. The 8-14 day outlook continues to lean towards below-normal precipitation, though it sits on the edge of near-normal conditions. This shift could signify the end of the monsoon season, which has been beneficial for the region this year.
The upcoming weekend is predicted to be exceptionally pleasant, with abundant sunshine and only a few passing clouds. High temperatures are expected to reach the upper 70s and lower 80s, with morning lows ranging from the upper 40s to the middle 50s, creating ideal conditions for outdoor activities across the Grand Valley.
