Durango, CO – Temperatures will plunge rapidly overnight across western Colorado, creating a hard freeze that could damage crops and infrastructure by early Friday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, a Freeze Warning is in effect from midnight through 10 a.m. Friday, with temperatures dropping as low as 14 degrees in parts of the region, including Grand Junction, Durango, and Montrose. A second round of freezing conditions is already possible late Friday night into Saturday morning under a Freeze Watch.
Communities across the Animas and San Juan River basins, including Durango, Bayfield, and Pagosa Springs, will see lows near 20 degrees, while colder pockets in the Grand Valley and surrounding areas could dip even lower. These temperatures are cold enough to damage crops, kill sensitive vegetation, and freeze unprotected pipes.
In addition, gusty winds up to 50 mph will continue through Thursday evening, especially near exposed corridors from Rifle to Moab, making travel difficult for high-profile vehicles.
Residents should cover plants, protect outdoor plumbing, and secure loose objects before conditions worsen overnight.
Freezing temperatures will ease after 10 a.m. Friday, but another round of cold air is expected heading into Saturday morning, prompting additional alerts.
