Grand Junction, Colorado – Sub-freezing temperatures are gripping western Colorado and eastern Utah early this morning, with a hard freeze already underway that could damage crops, outdoor plumbing, and create slick travel conditions before sunrise.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, a Freeze Warning remains in effect until 9 a.m. Sunday across a wide region including the Yampa River Basin, Colorado River corridor, Four Corners, and the Eastern Uinta Basin. Temperatures have dropped as low as 23 degrees in areas like Craig and Meeker, while much of the region—including Grand Junction, Montrose, and Durango—is seeing lows between 23 and 27 degrees.
Communities along major routes such as I-70, US-50, and US-160 may encounter patchy frost on bridges and overpasses through the early morning hours, especially before 8 a.m. The extended cold is expected to impact both rural and urban areas, with colder pockets in valleys and open terrain.
Agricultural losses are likely, particularly for early-season crops and sensitive vegetation. Residents should cover plants, bring potted vegetation indoors, and protect exposed water lines. Outdoor irrigation systems are especially vulnerable in these conditions.
Looking ahead, a Freeze Watch is in effect from Sunday evening through Monday morning for parts of the central Colorado River Basin, where another round of sub-freezing temperatures near 30 degrees is possible. Additional alerts may follow as conditions evolve.
