Grand Junction, CO – Dangerous heat and lingering wildfire smoke will grip western Colorado on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to reach 100°F by late afternoon and visibility reduced across parts of Mesa County.
According to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, smoke from regional wildfires will persist through at least Thursday morning, potentially affecting outdoor activities and those with respiratory issues. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the higher terrain through the week, with the best chance for rain coming Thursday night into Friday.
Residents are urged to limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, stay hydrated, and keep windows closed if smoke levels increase. Afternoon winds could shift smoke patterns, affecting visibility on key roadways including I-70 through the Grand Valley.
While Thursday will remain hot with a high near 99°F, cooler conditions are expected over the weekend, with highs in the low to mid-90s and intermittent storm chances. Another round of daily afternoon thunderstorms is likely to continue into early next week, especially over mountain areas.
Five Day Forecast for Grand Junction, CO:
- Wednesday: Areas of smoke in morning, sunny and hot. High 100°F, low 67°F
- Thursday: Slight chance of storms afternoon/evening, mostly sunny. High 99°F, low 68°F
- Friday: Chance of afternoon storms, partly sunny. High 94°F, low 65°F
- Saturday: Slight storm chance afternoon, partly sunny. High 92°F, low 63°F
- Sunday: Sunny, mild for August. High 93°F, low 64°F
