Grand Junction, CO – A cold, dry calm covers the Western Slope this morning, but the peace won’t last long. A powerful cold front is now sweeping into northwest Colorado, bringing the region’s first widespread winter weather event of the season — just as post-Thanksgiving travel peaks.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, snow will begin late Friday across the Elkhead and Park Mountains, with totals between 4 and 10 inches possible by Saturday morning. Gusty winds will create blowing snow and poor visibility, particularly along Highway 40 and nearby passes. Drivers heading toward Steamboat Springs or Rabbit Ears Pass should prepare for icy conditions and limited visibility through the night.
Saturday brings cooler air and passing clouds, keeping highs near the mid-40s for Grand Junction and other valley communities. By Sunday, another system clips western Colorado, delivering scattered snow showers through early Monday. Snow accumulations will remain light in lower valleys but could add another 1 to 3 inches in the mountains.
Daytime highs drop sharply into the low 40s by Monday, with early December’s coldest air mass arriving behind the front. Lows in the 20s — and single digits in high elevations — will linger into next week, signaling a full transition into winter weather patterns across the Rockies.
Plan ahead if you’re traveling this weekend — icy conditions may form quickly as snow develops.
Heading through the passes Sunday? Share what conditions you’re seeing.
Five-Day Outlook for Grand Junction, CO:
- Friday: Partly sunny, high 54°F; low 27°F.
- Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 49°F; low 27°F.
- Sunday: Chance rain/snow, high 46°F; low 22°F.
- Monday: Sunny, high 42°F; low 22°F.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 41°F.
