Colorado – A still, cold calm blankets the Grand Valley this morning, the desert floor frosted under clear November skies. Grand Junction wakes to a quiet start — the kind of steady, late-fall air that hints at change coming just beyond the horizon.
For now, travelers have little to worry about, as the National Weather Service calls for mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s through Thanksgiving Day. Roads across I-70, U.S. 50, and Highway 141 will remain dry and clear, making this one of the best travel windows of the week for Western Colorado.
Friday brings another bright, mild day with highs near 54°F, though clouds will start to thicken as a Pacific system approaches. By Saturday night, that system will slide east, bringing a chance of rain and snow showers across Mesa County and into the Grand Mesa foothills.
High temperatures drop into the 40s by Sunday, with snow levels near 6,000 feet and colder air filtering in behind the system. While significant accumulation isn’t expected yet, residents should prepare for slippery roads, patchy frost, and freezing mornings early next week.
Looking further ahead, long-range models show a stronger Arctic front pushing south by December 1–5, signaling a true winter pattern that could deliver widespread cold and snow across much of the West and Plains.
For now, Grand Junction enjoys a near-perfect Thanksgiving week — crisp mornings, bright afternoons, and calm winds. But by Sunday night, the quiet pattern may break just enough to remind the Western Slope that winter isn’t far behind.
