GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – Monday is a First Alert Weather Day for the mountains due to snow that can cause travel difficulties. The valleys are looking at rain that day.
Our Next 24 Hours
This evening will be cloudy with showers possible. Temperatures will be in the low to mid 60s around 7 PM, then upper 50s to low 60s around 9 PM. Monday will be cloudy and gusty with rain in the morning, then clearing in the afternoon. Morning lows will be about 46 degrees in Grand Junction, 45 degrees in Montrose, 45 degrees in Delta, 37 degrees in Cortez, and 44 degrees in Moab. Temperatures will increase to the upper 40s to low 50s around noon. Afternoon highs will be about 59 degrees in Grand Junction, 59 degrees in Montrose, 60 degrees in Delta, 61 degrees in Cortez, and 57 degrees in Moab.
Winter Weather Advisories
The National Weather Service has issued Winter Weather Advisories that go into effect at midnight tonight and will last until 9 PM Monday for the Elkhead Mountains, Park Mountains, Rocky Mountain National Park, Medicine Bow Range, Mosquito Range, Indian Peaks, Mountains of Summit County, and Rabbit Ears Pass. Snow accumulations of 5-10 inches are possible with locally higher amounts and wind gusts up to 35 mph. The high peaks and passes will receive the most snow. Mountains outside of the Winter Weather Advisory are looking at about 1-4 inches. Be sure to slow down and use caution since the roads can be slick at times and blowing snow can reduce visibility to less than a quarter mile.
Timing the Rain and Snow
Scattered areas of snow will start falling in the mountains tonight after midnight mainly, but most of the snow will fall later in the morning on Monday and into the afternoon as coverage increases. In the evening it will start wrapping up and be mostly done by 9 PM.
Rain is expected to increase in coverage after midnight and into Monday morning for Western Colorado. Scattered showers will be possible in the afternoon but most of the rain will wrap up around midday. Central and northern areas of the Western Slope will have the best chance for rain. Rainfall totals through midday Monday for central and northern areas of the Western Slope are about a half inch to an inch. Southwest Colorado valleys are looking at around a tenth of an inch of rain.
Freeze Watch
The National Weather Service has issued a Freeze Watch that goes into effect late Monday night through Tuesday Morning for the Central Yampa River Basin and Lower Yampa River Basin. This includes the cities of Rangely, Dinosaur, Dinosaur National Monument, Craig, Hayden, and Meeker. Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 21 degrees are possible. This can damage or kill crops and vegetation. Unprotected outdoor pipes can also be damaged.

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