GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Porch steps sparkle with frost and the Grand Mesa glows pink in the early light as western Colorado wakes under its first hard freeze of the season. Temperatures in the lower 30s have gripped the valley since before dawn, part of a Freeze Warning in effect until 9 a.m., marking the official end to the growing season.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, the cold spell will ease by midmorning as clear skies and light winds allow for a steady warm-up. Highs reach the low 60s today, climbing toward the mid-60s Thursday and Friday—ideal weather for late-fall yard work and Halloween preparations across Mesa County. Gardeners and homeowners should cover sensitive plants or bring them indoors through sunrise, as frost pockets linger near Fruita and Palisade.
Trick-or-treat conditions Friday evening look nearly perfect. Sunshine dominates the day, with temperatures near 64° and calm winds. By dusk, readings will cool into the upper 40s under mostly clear skies—crisp enough for a jacket but pleasant for walking neighborhood streets. Travel along I-70 and Highway 50 will remain dry through the weekend, and no rain or snow threats are on the horizon.
Long-range models hint at a cooler, breezier pattern returning late Sunday into early next week, possibly signaling the start of November’s early-season chill. To be fair, this week’s calm stretch is a welcome pause after a frosty start—but the pattern shift ahead could open the door to winter’s first true cold snap. After all, clocks fall back at 2 a.m. Sunday, ushering in darker evenings and colder mornings for western Colorado.
Five-Day Forecast for Grand Junction, CO:
Wed: 61/32 – Freeze early; sunny and calm by afternoon.
Thu: 64/36 – Sunny; mild, perfect outdoor day.
Fri: 64/38 – Mostly sunny; cool trick-or-treat evening near 48°.
Sat: 64/40 – Sunny and dry; light breeze.
Sun: 67/42 – Pleasant start to November; cooler pattern ahead.
