Grand Junction and parts of the Western Slope could experience scattered showers and a few thunderstorms this Tuesday afternoon and evening. While some areas may receive rain, forecasters emphasize that it is not expected to be constant, and many locations across the region will likely remain dry.
Tuesday is expected to be partly to mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms are possible starting in the afternoon, with an increase in activity during the early evening hours. These weather systems are then expected to dissipate, ending overnight between approximately 8 PM and 11 PM. Earlier in the day, scattered showers and thunderstorms were expected to remain well west of Western Colorado over central and western Utah through about 2 PM, before potentially moving into the area between 2 PM and 5 PM.
Forecast data guiding these predictions show "mixed signals" regarding the exact timing and widespread nature of the precipitation. One forecast model suggests that showers and thunderstorms could arrive as early as midday and potentially be more widespread across the area. However, another high-resolution model indicates less widespread precipitation, with a start time closer to 2 PM. The actual weather outcome is anticipated to fall somewhere between these two possibilities, meaning that while some parts of the region will receive rain, others will not.
Temperatures across the region are expected to see a warming trend throughout Tuesday. Morning lows around 7 AM are expected to be in the upper 50s and lower 60s. By noon, temperatures are forecast to climb into the upper 60s and lower 70s, reaching the low-to-mid 70s by 4 PM. High temperatures in the afternoon are projected to be near 80 degrees for Grand Junction. Montrose can expect a high of approximately 77 degrees, Delta near 80 degrees, and Cortez around 78 degrees. Overnight low temperatures are forecast to be near 56 degrees in Grand Junction, 50 degrees in Montrose, 52 degrees in Delta, and 48 degrees in Cortez. For Moab, a high of 83 degrees and a low of 62 degrees are expected.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, the forecast indicates widespread and persistent rain primarily over the San Juan Mountains. Some sporadic showers are also possible from the Grand Valley eastward towards the Four Corners region. However, most other areas across the Western Slope are expected to remain dry throughout Wednesday, with the biggest chance for rain concentrated over the San Juan Mountains.
