Grand Junction, Colo. – Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across western Colorado Tuesday, raising the risk of flash flooding through the evening hours. The National Weather Service warns that areas with recent wildfire burn scars, steep terrain, and saturated soils are most vulnerable to dangerous runoff and debris flows.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, a Flood Watch remains in effect until late Tuesday for a broad swath of the state, including the Grand Valley, Flat Tops, San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau, and the I-70 corridor. Excessive rainfall could quickly overwhelm rivers, streams, and low-lying roads, making travel hazardous.
Communities such as Grand Junction, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Montrose, and Telluride are included in the watch area. Officials caution drivers never to attempt crossing flooded roadways and advise residents in at-risk zones to move to higher ground if storms approach.
Localized flooding may impact highways, rural routes, and recreation areas. The combination of heavy rain and unstable soils over burn scars could trigger sudden debris flows, especially near the Elk, La Sal, and Abajo mountains.
The flood threat is expected to ease overnight, but unsettled weather with showers and thunderstorms will linger midweek. More advisories could be issued if storms intensify.
Five Day Forecast for Grand Junction, CO
- Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely, high near 83. Flash flood risk.
- Wednesday: Showers possible, high near 84. Overnight low around 63.
- Thursday: Slight chance of storms, partly sunny, high near 86.
- Friday: Isolated storms early, mostly sunny, high near 83.
- Saturday: Sunny and warm, high near 89.
