Cold air brushes your cheeks early this morning, but wet pavement and shifting skies are the bigger story as winter begins to flex across Colorado. What looks calm now may change quickly as Christmas travel approaches, with rain developing and temperatures flirting with freezing by midweek.
Colorado sits between warmer air to the south and an active storm track to the north. According to the National Weather Service, moisture moving in from the Pacific will spread showers into western Colorado by Wednesday, while colder air lingers nearby. That setup raises concerns for slick roads if temperatures dip toward freezing after rainfall.
In Grand Junction, today stays quiet and mild for late December. Sunshine pushes highs into the low 60s, which is well above seasonal averages. Tonight remains partly cloudy with lows in the mid-30s. Tuesday looks similar, with afternoon warmth near 62 degrees before clouds thicken later in the day.
By Wednesday, Christmas Eve conditions begin to change. Showers develop by afternoon and evening, with temperatures near 60 degrees early, then cooling late. Wet roads could become slick after dark if colder air filters in. Drivers should plan extra time and remain alert on I-70, especially on bridges and elevated ramps where flash freezing can happen first.
Christmas Day carries a higher chance of steady showers, and thunder is not out of the question. While snow stays confined to higher elevations nearby, even valley rain could refreeze overnight, creating hidden hazards for holiday travelers.
Looking ahead, unsettled weather lingers into late week with cooler air gradually returning. More advisories could be issued as timing becomes clearer. Traveling for the holidays? Let us know what conditions look like where you are.
Five-Day Outlook for Grand Junction, Colorado
- Monday: Sunny, high near 62°F
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 62°F
- Wednesday: Showers developing, high near 60°F
- Christmas Day: Showers likely, high near 58°F
- Friday: Chance of showers, cooler with a high near 55°F
