GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A sharp drop in temperatures will grip western Colorado overnight as a Freeze Watch takes effect for the Central Yampa River Basin, where readings could fall to 27 degrees by early Tuesday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, the alert remains in effect from midnight through 10 a.m. Tuesday. The agency warns that frost and freezing conditions could kill crops, sensitive plants, and even damage unprotected outdoor plumbing if precautions aren’t taken.
The greatest impacts are expected across low-lying valleys and open farmland near Craig, Meeker, and Hayden, where calm overnight winds could allow cold air to settle rapidly. Gardeners and growers are urged to cover tender vegetation and disconnect outdoor hoses to prevent bursting pipes.
The freeze marks an early sign of fall’s advance across western Colorado, with colder nights expected to continue through midweek. Additional advisories may follow if temperatures drop again by Wednesday morning.
