Grand Junction, Colo. – Colorado skies could deliver a rare light show tonight as the Northern Lights stretch unusually far south into Tuesday morning. Residents across the Western Slope, including Grand Junction, should keep an eye on the sky if clouds stay clear.
According to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, a coronal mass ejection is expected to trigger geomagnetic storm activity through early Tuesday. The aurora could be visible from Virginia to California, with Colorado’s higher elevations and open skies offering prime viewing spots along I-70. Safety officials remind drivers to avoid pulling over suddenly on highways for skywatching, urging residents to use safe, open areas away from traffic.
Locally, temperatures stay near 93°F Tuesday with mostly sunny skies and light winds. That heat lingers through midweek, nearly 5 degrees above normal. According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, moisture arrives by Thursday, bringing a small chance of afternoon storms. Rain chances grow stronger by Saturday, especially near the San Juans, where mountain thunderstorms could produce lightning and brief downpours.
The dry start to September keeps fire danger elevated, particularly in western valleys. Residents should avoid outdoor burns and secure equipment that could spark grassfires.
Clear skies tonight remain critical for aurora viewing, but even if clouds move in, conditions stay calm through midweek before storm activity picks up by the weekend. More alerts are possible later this week as the system develops.
Five-Day Forecast for Grand Junction, Colorado
- Tuesday: Sunny, high near 93°F. Light east wind becoming variable.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high near 92°F. Calm winds.
- Thursday: Sunny, high near 92°F. Slight chance of afternoon storms.
- Friday: Partly sunny, high near 87°F. Storm chances increase late.
- Saturday: Scattered showers and storms. High near 86°F, low near 61°F.
