Grand Junction Weather Alert: Fall Cold Snap Brings Freeze Risk After Thursday Showers
GRAND JUNCTION, COLORADO — Western Colorado is bracing for a sharp fall cooldown as a cold front sweeps across the Grand Valley on Thursday, bringing showers, gusty winds, and a freeze threat overnight. Residents across Mesa, Delta, and Garfield counties are urged to prepare for quickly falling temperatures and the first taste of winter-like air.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, a line of light showers and isolated thunderstorms will move through the area early Thursday before drier conditions return. Behind the front, temperatures will plunge near or below freezing in higher valleys along the Colorado–Utah border.
Freeze Warnings Issued for Western Colorado
Freeze Warnings are in effect late Thursday night for the Central Colorado River Basin and surrounding mountain valleys, where cold air is expected to settle overnight. The weather service warns that sensitive vegetation and outdoor plumbing could be damaged if not protected.
Drivers traveling along Interstate 70 between De Beque and Glenwood Springs may encounter wet roads and patchy fog Thursday morning before conditions improve by midday.
“Temperatures will drop rapidly behind the front,” meteorologists said. “Some of the higher valleys could wake up to frost or even a hard freeze by Friday morning.”
Cool Friday Before Weekend Warm-Up
By Friday, sunshine returns but temperatures will stay crisp, with highs only in the low 60s across Grand Junction and nearby towns.
Over the weekend, a gradual warming trend will bring mid-to-upper 60s and calm winds, creating ideal conditions for pumpkin patch visits, leaf viewing on the Grand Mesa, or hikes through Colorado National Monument.
Early Freeze Preparation Tips
Residents should take precautions ahead of the overnight chill by covering or bringing in plants, disconnecting garden hoses, and ensuring pets have warm shelter.
The National Weather Service expects a return to dry, sunny weather through next week, offering a final stretch of golden fall days before late-October cold returns.
Five-Day Forecast for Grand Junction, CO:
Thursday: 61°/37° – Showers early; cooler afternoon.
Friday: 62°/38° – Sunny and calm; chilly start.
Saturday: 64°/40° – Bright and mild; great outdoor day.
Sunday: 67°/44° – Sunny; warmer trend begins.
Monday: 64°/41° – Mostly sunny; pleasant fall air.
Stay updated on more Colorado weather alerts, Grand Valley forecasts, and seasonal updates at NapervilleLocal.com, your trusted source for community weather coverage.
I’ve lived in Naperville long enough to see how quickly our community changes — from new developments downtown to sudden shifts in our Midwest weather. Reporting on Naperville news and daily forecasts gives me the chance to keep neighbors informed about what really matters. My goal is simple: deliver clear, timely updates so you always know what’s happening in our city and what to expect from the skies above.