Grand Junction, Colorado – Temperatures are rebounding across western Colorado this afternoon, but another round of sub-freezing cold is set to hit within hours, threatening crops and outdoor plumbing early Monday.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Freeze Warnings expired at 9 a.m. Sunday, but a new Freeze Watch is already in place for early Monday morning across the central Yampa and Colorado River Basins, where temperatures are expected to fall into the upper 20s by daybreak.
Cities including Craig, Steamboat Springs, Rifle, and areas along the I-70 corridor could see overnight lows between 26 and 31 degrees. Clear skies and light winds will allow rapid cooling after sunset, increasing the risk of frost formation on exposed surfaces.
While Sunday afternoon brings sunshine and temperatures climbing a few degrees above normal, the sharp overnight drop could catch residents off guard. Sensitive vegetation, early-season crops, and unprotected irrigation systems are most at risk.
Residents are urged to cover or bring in plants, drain hoses, and protect outdoor pipes before midnight. Agricultural areas in valley locations face the highest freeze potential due to cold air settling.
The freeze threat will ease after 9 a.m. Monday as temperatures recover quickly under sunny skies. Additional updates are possible if colder temperatures expand into surrounding valleys overnight.
