NWS Grand Junction
March 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
- Title
- March 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 3 days ago
- Description
- March 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written March 2024 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/March2024_ClimateSummary.pdf
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March remained cooler and unsettled, with a never ending train of storms bringing valley rain and mountain snow. The month came in like a lion with a system that brought strong, gusty winds to all elevations, and significant mountain snow and valley rain. Unsettled northwest flow in the wake of this system kept mountain showers going through the rest of the first week. The next quick moving system took aim at the San Juan mountains, bringing several inches to the highest elevations. A brief period of warmer and drier weather arrived around the 10th to the 12th of the month, before cooler and unsettled conditions returned once more. Mountains saw a foot to two feet out of this system, with valleys seeing a quarter to ...
- Title
- Winter 2023-2024 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- Winter 2023-2024 Seasonal Climate Summary
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For a written Winter 2023-2024 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Winter2023-2024_ClimateSummary.pdf
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March 1st marked the beginning of Meteorological Spring and the end of Meteorological Winter, which runs from December 1st through, this year, February 29th. The Winter Season was slow to start, with the month of December being warmer and drier than normal. Snowpacks remained below normal values through the month, although a few good storms did keep values from dropping below 50% of normal across the state. As December transitioned into January, the warmth continued but moisture began to increase significantly thanks to several Atmospheric River events. The Winter grew increasingly unsettled through January and into February, where almost weekly substantial storms finally brought mountain snowpacks...
- Title
- February 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 month ago
- Description
- February 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written February 2024 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/February2024_ClimateSummary.pdf
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February continued where January left off, with a continuing parade of mild and wet Pacific systems bringing significant mountain snow. Ahead of each system, temperatures jumped several degrees above normal and then would crash back to near or below normal values. This parade of storms did help the mountain snowpacks to climb up to near normal, even above normal for Utah, for the time of year, something which hasn’t been seen since early in the season. This pattern persisted through the month, with warmer than normal and quiet conditions giving way to very unsettled and cooler weather on an almost weekly basis. Snow squalls were also an issue with each cold front passage, as these fronts tended to be quit...
- Title
- January 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 months ago
- Description
- January 2024 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written January 2024 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/January2024_ClimateSummary.pdf
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Mother Nature truly said “New Year, New Me” this year, as the first month of 2024 was characterized by a prolonged pattern shift to much colder and more unsettled conditions. Several storms moved through the area during the first half of the month, bringing substantial mountain snow to all ranges, as well as valley snow to even the lowest valleys. The northern mountains were the most favored during this unsettled period, gaining several feet of snow between the 1st and the 15th of the month. Temperatures were seasonably cool for the first week or so of the month, but by the second week an Arctic air outbreak brought significantly colder temperatures to the entire Western Slope. Northwest Colorado was the co...
- Title
- December 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- December 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written December 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/December2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The last month of 2023 was characterized by short but intense stormy periods broken up by clear periods with near to above normal temperatures. The first storm of the month brought snow to all ranges in eastern Utah and western Colorado, but the subsequent storms tended to target only certain areas of the CWA. The system that hit from the 8th to the 10th mainly focused on the central and northern mountains and brought a snow squall to the I-70 corridor on the 8th. The next system focused primarily on the San Juans and the southern Colorado valleys. As snow cover accumulated in valley locations and cooler air began to work into the region, valley inversions and fog became issues in favored spots, such as Crai...
- Title
- Fall 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- Fall 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
—------------------------------
For a written Fall 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Fall2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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December 1st marked the beginning of Meteorological Winter and the end of Meteorological Fall. Meteorological Fall runs from September 1st through November 30th. Fall 2023 was characterized by short but intense periods of below normal temperatures and precipitation up against a background trend of above normal temperatures and benign weather. While snow started flying early, the sporadic nature of the systems during the season and the above normal temperatures in between each system have somewhat hampered snowpack development in the mountains. As a season, Fall 2023 was overall warmer than normal, with nine of the ten automated reporting stations across eastern Utah and western Colorado rounding out the season with abo...
- Title
- November 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 3 months ago
- Description
- November 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written November 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/November2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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November started off with high pressure in control and temperatures a bit cooler than normal for a day or two, before warming to near normal values. A passing disturbance brought some mountain showers, but overall quiet conditions lingered into the second week of the month, along with that warming trend. By the 6th, temperatures had climbed to 10-15 degrees above normal. A potent system then dropped in, bringing breezy conditions, mountain snow, and temperatures once again below normal. And the pattern repeats. By the 11th, quiet weather had settled in and temperatures had once again warmed to near or slightly above normal values for much of eastern Utah and western Colorado. Temperatures climbed into unseas...
- Title
- October 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 5 months ago
- Description
- October 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written October 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/October2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The start of October brought a period of cooler than normal and unsettled weather, with valley rain showers and mountain snow characterizing the first few days. This didn’t last long, however, as a warming trend kicked in around the 4th, and by the 7th temperatures had become above normal. After a spell of above normal temperatures and sunny, dry conditions, winter made a reappearance on the 11th. The central Colorado mountains did the best with this system, with snow accumulations anywhere from 6 inches to over a foot. Clear skies and quiet weather, along with a gradual warming trend, filled in behind this system. This was a good thing, as the morning of October 14th, an Annular Solar Eclipse would occur acr...
- Title
- September 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 6 months ago
- Description
- September 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written September 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/September2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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September started off warm and unsettled, with a push of monsoonal moisture bringing widespread showers and storms for the first week. As moisture increased, temperatures dipped a bit around the 4th, but returned to above normal values quite quickly, with drying conditions bringing a return of fire weather concerns to round out the first week of the month. Unsettled conditions accompanying another moisture push led to a very similar pattern for the second week of the month, with wet and cool conditions for the first half of the week followed by drying, warming weather to round out the week. Some of these showers and storms were capable of putting down some very heavy rain across the southern half of the r...
- Title
- Summer 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- Summer 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
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For a written Summer 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Summer2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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September 1st marked the beginning of Meteorological Fall and the end of Meteorological Summer. Meteorological Summer runs from June 1st through August 31st. Summer 2023 began as a continuation to the cool, wet Spring, with June coming in overall as cooler and wetter than normal. That changed dramatically in July, where very little precipitation was recorded across the area, and temperatures soared to well above normal. To round out the season, August came in at near normal, with above or below normal precipitation really depending on where you were. As a season, the Summer was overall warmer than normal, with eight of the ten automated weather observation stations at airports across the region finishing the seas...
- Title
- August 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 7 months ago
- Description
- August 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written August 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/August2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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August began with above normal temperatures, but also a much needed return of precipitation. Like much this year, the monsoon was delayed a bit in getting going, but once it started it brought some beneficial rain to areas across the West Slope. It also brought widespread storms that started off as high based, mostly dry thunderstorms that created gusty winds and frequent lightning and led to new fire starts. They also spawned a funnel cloud near Yampa, Co early in the month. As these monsoonal surges continued to bring deep moisture into the area, temperatures dropped to near normal and storms transitioned away from dry and high based to lower based and most assuredly wet. The Grand Junction airport received 0.88...
- Title
- July 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 8 months ago
- Description
- July 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written July 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/July2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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Summer finally started in earnest at the beginning of July, with temperatures climbing each day. Red Flag Warnings for critical fire weather conditions were issued on the Fourth of July, and afternoon thunderstorms that fired off the terrain were more likely to start fires with dry lightning and gusty winds than they were to put them out with heavy rain. By the second week of the month, temperatures were several degrees above normal across the board, although the Grand Valley had yet to hit the triple digits it had been flirting with since the start of the month. That all changed on July 11th, when the Grand Junction Regional Airport hit 100F for the first time. High temperatures dropped as low as 97F a few times during...
- Title
- June 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 9 months ago
- Description
- June 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written June 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/June2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The first half of the month was cooler and unsettled, with almost daily widespread showers and thunderstorms. As usual for summer storms, the higher terrain of eastern Utah and western Colorado was most favored to see shower and thunderstorm activity. The increased moisture across the area led to an increased risk of heavy rain and small hail, as well as increased cloudiness across the area which kept temperatures at or below normal throughout the first two weeks of the month. Some high mountain passes even saw snowfall! At about the midpoint of the month, conditions shifted rapidly to a much warmer, drier, and windier pattern. There were a few days where Wind Advisories were issued for large portions of the lower eleva...
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Debris Flows
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in San Diego, California as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the San Diego office discusses what will be covered this week.
Debris flows are dangerous land and water flows caused by heavy rainfall in areas of steep terrain and loose-bare soil. Flash flooding and debris flows are common in or near wildfire burn scars, so unfortunately many areas within the American Southwest are susceptible to their impacts.
Burned soil can be as water repellant as pavement. When vegetation is burned at high intensity, water-repelling compounds are vaporized and then condense on the soil layers below which prevents soil from absorbing water. This leads to excessive runoff whenever rain falls, resulting in flash flooding and the development of debris flows. Accumulations of ash, soot and burned logs are just a few of the things that wildfires will leave behind, and this debris can quickly move downstream and...
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Hiking During the Monsoon - Flash Flood Safety
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Flagstaff, Arizona as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Flagstaff office discusses hiking during the monsoon, ending with flash flood safety tips!
We love outdoor activities, especially hiking! However, it’s important to remain weather-aware before you head outside. Check the forecast beforehand, and know what to expect, as the monsoon can abruptly bring thunderstorms and associated weather hazards. Know before you go!
Once you do head outdoors, keep your guard up! Stay alert and keep an eye on the skies. Look for bubbling cumulus clouds, the building blocks of thunderstorms, and have a plan to take shelter in a sturdy structure should storms become imminent. #Monsoon2k23
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Hiking During the Monsoon - Heat Safety
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Flagstaff, Arizona as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Flagstaff office discusses hiking during the monsoon, starting with heat safety tips!
We love outdoor activities, especially hiking! However, it’s important to remain weather-aware before you head outside. Check the forecast beforehand, and know what to expect, as the monsoon can abruptly bring thunderstorms and associated weather hazards. Know before you go!
Once you do head outdoors, keep your guard up! Stay alert and keep an eye on the skies. Look for bubbling cumulus clouds, the building blocks of thunderstorms, and have a plan to take shelter in a sturdy structure should storms become imminent. #Monsoon2k23
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Camping During the Monsoon
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- We love outdoor activities, especially camping! However, it’s important to remain weather-aware before you head outside. Check the forecast beforehand, and know what to expect, as the monsoon can abruptly bring thunderstorms and associated weather hazards. Know before you go!
If camping, plan where you will pitch your tent. Stay out of washes, arroyos, dry creeks or river beds, as flash flooding can abruptly impact these areas, even if it’s not raining directly on you. Thunderstorms may be occurring miles upstream, leading to runoff that could send torrents of water downstream into these normally dry drainage areas. #Monsoon2k23
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Downburst Winds
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Albuquerque office talks about downburst winds.
Monsoon Awareness Week: Downburst winds are commonly associated with thunderstorms during the Monsoon and they can be extremely hazardous. Downburst winds are one of the thunderstorm-related weather hazards most likely to produce property damage.
A downburst is a non-rotating wind that is created by a column of sinking air in a thunderstorm that, after hitting ground level, spreads out in all directions and is capable of producing damaging straight-line winds of over 100 mph. These winds can often produce damage similar to, but distinguishable from, that caused by tornadoes. The physical properties of a downburst are completely different from those of a tornado.
Rain falling from a thunderstorm will create a column of cool air that will sink along with the rain. Th...
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Dust Storms
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Tucson, Arizona as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Tucson office talks about dust storms.
Strong thunderstorm winds, or even downburst winds, can create areas of blowing dust during the Monsoon. Blowing dust can quickly reduce visibility, posing hazards to travelers and motorists.
If you are driving and encounter extremely low visibility in a dust storm:
- Pull OFF the side of the road
- Lights OFF to ensure others don’t try to follow your taillights
- Foot OFF brake
- Stay in the vehicle with your seat belts buckled and wait for the dust storm to pass. #PullAsideStayAlive #Monsoon2k23
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Lightning
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Phoenix, Arizona as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Phoenix office discusses lightning safety during the monsoon.
Lightning is the MOST UNDERRATED weather hazard! On average, only extreme heat and floods kill more people. Lightning makes every single thunderstorm a potential killer, whether the storm produces one single bolt or ten thousand bolts. Tornadoes, hail, and wind gusts get the most attention, but only lightning can strike well outside the storm itself. Lightning is often the first thunderstorm hazard to arrive and the last to leave.
Here are some things you can do to ensure your safety when thunderstorms are present:
- Watch for signs of an approaching thunderstorm
- Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent. This is your best way to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation
- REMEMBER if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to a s...
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Extreme Heat
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in El Paso, New Mexico as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the El Paso office discusses extreme heat.
Monsoon Awareness Week has begun! One weather hazard that often accompanies the early part of the monsoon is heat. Heat is often at its worst across the American Southwest before monsoon thunderstorms become widespread, but it can also become problematic during drier stretches within the heart of the season.
"But it's a dry heat..." Many residents and visitors to the desert Southwest think since relative humidity is low, they need not worry about heat stress. While high relative humidity can certainly increase the adverse effects of heat on the human body, the hottest of days during the monsoon can still result in numerous health issues such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. #Monsoon2k23
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Offi...
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2023: Introduction to the Monsoon
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Albuquerque, New Mexico as part of the 2023 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Albuquerque office discusses what will be covered this week.
It’s Monsoon Awareness Week! Each day this week we will be discussing various topics related to the North American Monsoon, a season when some locations within the American Southwest can receive a majority of their annual rainfall. However, it’s not just about the rainfall! Unfortunately, there are various weather hazards that can accompany the beneficial rainfall.
Monsoon Season is defined as the seasonal reversal of winds from June 15th through September 30th. That doesn’t necessarily mean that thunderstorms will only develop during these dates, but rather this is a time of year to stay alert and aware of monsoon hazards, much like hurricanes have a defined season to stay prepared and ready for potential storms. Stay tuned this week as we take a deep dive i...
- Title
- Spring 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- Spring 2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
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For a written Spring 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Spring2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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June 1st marked the beginning of Meteorological Summer and the end of Meteorological Spring. Meteorological Spring runs from March 1st through May 31st. Spring 2023 was characterized by a cooler, wetter pattern for the first half of the season, with a gradual warming and drying for the second half. The season was overall cooler than normal, with all ten of the automated weather observation stations at airports across eastern Utah and western Colorado having below normal mean temperatures. Mean temperatures ranged from 6.9 degrees F below normal at the Vernal, UT airport, to 1.2 degrees F below normal at the Durango-La Plata County Airport. The season was either wetter or drier than normal, depending on where you...
- Title
- May 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 10 months ago
- Description
- May 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written May 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/May2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of May kicked off with above normal temperatures leading to an enhanced risk of snowmelt flooding across much of eastern Utah and western Colorado. Showers and thunderstorms fired off the terrain most afternoons, with only differences being in how widespread or strong these showers were. Temperatures dropped below normal at the beginning of the second week of the month, but began to warm once again a few days later. Unsettled conditions gave way to drier, quieter weather for the remainder of the week. Around May 10th, a system moved through that brought rain to the valleys and snow to the high peaks. Temperatures once again warmed to near or slightly above normal after this system passed, with afternoon showers a...
- Title
- March 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 12 months ago
- Description
- March 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written March 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/March2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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March was yet another month of below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. Storm after storm swung through eastern Utah and western Colorado, with at best a day or two of a break in between. For the first week of the month, the northern mountains were favored for snow, but the second week brought a return of substantial accumulations to the central and southern mountains. As the pattern shifted a bit and the Atmospheric Rivers once again returned to the West Coast, the southern mountains became most favored for snow accumulations. While temperatures remained below normal throughout the month, the last week of March took the cake as far as cold temperatures were concerned. A potent cold front dropped thr...
- Title
- February 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- February 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written February 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/February2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the month of February was generally cold and unsettled. The month kicked off with well below normal temperatures, though skies were sunny to start. With high pressure overhead the first few days, temperatures were able to climb to near normal values where there wasn’t a deep snowpack. Inevitably though, the next winter storm would arrive and drop temperatures once again. The storms through much of February were drier than had occurred in February, thanks to most of these systems coming under drier, but cold, northwest flow. The potent cold fronts that brought the much below normal temperatures also brought several rounds of snow squall concerns through the mont...
- Title
- Winter 2022/2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Winter 2022/2023 Seasonal Climate Summary
—------------------------------
For a written Winter 2022/2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Winter2022-2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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March 1st marked the beginning of meteorological Spring and the conclusion of meteorological Winter, which was observed from December 1st through February 28th. Winter 2022/2023 was overall cooler than normal, with eight of the ten automated observation stations located at airports across eastern Utah and western Colorado ending the season with below normal mean temperatures. The remaining two sites, Grand Junction and Canyonlands, finished the season with above normal mean temperatures and exactly normal mean temperatures, respectively. Mean temperatures ranged from 1.2 degrees F above normal, at the Grand Junction Airport, to 12.1 degrees F below normal, at the Vernal Airport. The season was also...
- Title
- January 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- January 2023 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written January 2023 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/January2023_ClimateSummary.pdf
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January picked up where December left off – with round after round of wintry weather. However, a break did finally present itself at the end of the first week, along with some above normal temperatures and sunshine. That didn’t last for long though, as clouds and unsettled weather returned yet again. This continual onslaught of snowfall did good things for the mountain snowpacks, which began the month above normal and only continued to climb. It also trapped favored valley locations, such as the Uinta Basin and the Gunnison Basin, in strong valley inversions that kept temperatures bitterly cold throughout the month, reinforced by shots of cold arctic air behind each storm. The month ended on a very cold not...
- Title
- Fall 2022 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- Fall 2022 Seasonal Climate Summary
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For a written Fall 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Fall2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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December 1st marked the beginning of meteorological Winter and the conclusion of meteorological Fall, which was observed from September 1st to November 30th. Fall 2022 was generally wetter than normal, with 7 of the 10 automated weather stations across eastern Utah and western Colorado finishing the season with above normal precipitation. Even 3 sites that ended the month with below normal precipitation were within an inch of breaking even which, when compared with some of the seasonal deficits the area has seen in recent years, is actually quite good. This increased precipitation has also contributed to continued drought improvement across eastern Utah and especially western Colorado. By the end of November, the major...
- Title
- December 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- December 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written December 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/December2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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December was a continuously unsettled month, as eastern Utah and western Colorado fell under a very active storm track for the duration. The month began with a system that brought heavy mountain snow, gusty winds, and snow squall potential to the region. Disturbance after disturbance brought snow to the mountains and even into the valleys, with reinforcing shots of cold air behind them. The first half of the month saw the northern half of the area favored for snow, especially along the Divide. With several inches of snow on valley floors across the north, valley inversions also came into play for places like Vernal, UT and Hayden, CO. A bitter cold Arctic blast moved in from the 16th to the 19th, with northw...
- Title
- November 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- November 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written November 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/November2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of November continued to be unsettled, with the month starting off with a major winter storm that brought widespread mountain snowfall. Cold air behind this system allowed for valley rain to change over to snow, bringing some heavy snow to the Grand Valley. As was typical of the unsettled pattern that characterized the month, the final few days of the first week were quieter as a transient ridge between systems moved overhead. Some light freezing drizzle made weekend travel a hassle in the Central Mountains on the 5th and 6th. The next system brought warmer southwest flow that kept rain in the valleys, but continued to bury the mountains in snow. The second week of the month offered a bit of a pro...
- Title
- October 2022 Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 1 year ago
- Description
- October 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written October 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/October2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of October picked up where September left off, with unsettled and even some severe weather. The first week of the month saw multiple severe thunderstorm warnings issued for storms capable of producing severe wind and hail threats. This activity shifted southward and dwindled day by day, though occasional disturbances passing to the south kept chances for showers through the middle of the month. Otherwise, the middle two weeks of the month were comfortable, dry, and sunny, with temperatures near to above normal. This was less to do with a warming trend than to do with daily climatological highs cooling as the month went on despite daytime highs remaining consistent. This stretch of nice weather ended o...
- Title
- September 2022 Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- September 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written September 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/September2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of September kicked off with record setting heat as a strong ridge of high pressure set up shop for the first week of the month, bringing unusual heat and breaking a number of daily high temperature records. The hottest day of the period was September 6th… The Grand Junction Airport set a new daily record high temperature of 102F, which is also the record hottest temperature for any day in the month and the latest occurrence of a 100+ F day. The heat finally broke around the 10th, as a dry cold front dropped in. Next, moisture associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Kay brought widespread soaking rain to the West Slope. Conditions remained unsettled through around the 18th, with several...
- Title
- Conclusion to Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Week
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The National Weather Service wants everyone to be part of a Weather-Ready Nation. With the return of winter, Colorado receives a variety of hazards in the form of snow, wind chill, high winds, and avalanches. Are you winter weather ready? Now is the time to make sure you know how to stay safe when winter weather arrives.
Join us on this Saturday of Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction WCM Jeff Colton provides an overview of what we've discussed this awareness week.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Introduction to Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Week
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- The National Weather Service wants everyone to be part of a Weather-Ready Nation. With the return of winter, Colorado receives a variety of hazards in the form of snow, wind chill, high winds, and avalanches. Are you winter weather ready? Now is the time to make sure you know how to stay safe when winter weather arrives.
Join us on this Sunday of Colorado Winter Weather Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jeff Colton provides an overview on what will be discussed this awareness week.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Summer 2022 Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- For a written Summer 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Summer2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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September 1st marked the beginning of meteorological fall and the conclusion of meteorological summer, which was observed from June 1st to August 31st. Summer 2022 was either wetter than normal or drier than normal, depending on where you were standing. 5 of the 10 automated stations at airports across eastern Utah and western Colorado finished the season with above normal precipitation, and the remaining 5 finished the season with below normal precipitation. In areas that saw above normal precipitation, some significant drought improvement has occurred, with expansion of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions across western Colorado. Southeastern Utah has seen much of the Extreme (D3) drought eradicated, although it does remain in pockets. The summer was generally warmer than normal, with all 10 of the autom...
- Title
- August 2022 Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- August 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written August 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/August2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The monsoon continued unabated through the month of August, with daily thunderstorm activity producing heavy rain across eastern Utah and western Colorado. Short breaks between moisture surges allowed temperatures to climb to unseasonable, near-record levels. During the peak moisture days, numerous flood products were issued all over the area. Some significant flooding events occurred in eastern Utah and southwestern Colorado, where some of the deepest moisture resided. Utah 211 and Highway 191 experienced significant damage on the 14th, with vehicles stranded and parts of the road washed out. Perhaps the most high profile event of the month was the Moab-Mill Creek flood on the evening of August 20th, where heavy ...
- Title
- July 2022 Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- July 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written July 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/July2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of July was characterized by near weekly monsoonal surges bringing widespread shower and thunderstorm activity. The first week of the month was one of these wetter periods, with cloud cover and precipitation keeping temperatures near normal. By July 8th, the monsoonal surge backed off and while there were still isolated to scattered showers and storms, the increased sunshine and drier conditions allowed temperatures to climb into near record territory. And this would be the cycle for the entire month. The best moisture during the month fell south of I-70, with the southern Colorado valleys coming up the big winners, especially the Pagosa Springs area, where daily rainfall totals came in at an inch or more seve...
- Title
- Spring 2022 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Spring 2022 Seasonal Climate Summary
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For a written Spring 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at www.weather.gov/media/gjt/Spring2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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June 1st marked the beginning of meteorological summer and the conclusion of meteorological spring, which was observed from March 1st to May 31st. Spring 2022 was generally drier than normal across eastern Utah and western Colorado with 9 of the 10 automated stations at airports across the area finishing the season with below normal precipitation. Only Meeker Airport finished the spring with above normal precipitation. With the generally drier than normal conditions, drought has persisted through the spring, with some expansion of Extreme (D3) drought into the valleys of southwestern Colorado. Areas along the northern Divide have improved to Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions, while the rest of the area is in either Moderate...
- Title
- May 2022 Seasonal Climate Summary
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- May 2022 Monthly Climate Summary
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For a written May 2022 climate summary, please visit our website at https://www.weather.gov/media/gjt/May2022_ClimateSummary.pdf
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The month of May was a roller coaster, swinging between near normal temperatures to well below average. By the end of the month temperatures finally climbed above normal. The month was also characterized by several storm systems swinging through, bringing mountain snow and freeze warnings to lower valleys where plants had already begun to grow. Ahead of these storms, strong, gusty southwest winds overspread the area, leading to many Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings. As temperatures climbed at the end of the month and conditions dried, these strong wind events led to Red Flag Warnings to be issued for areas where fuels were susceptible.
May was generally drier than normal, with 7 of the 10 automated stati...
- Title
- The Science of Lightning
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Tuesday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Meteorologist Matthew Aleksa discusses the science of lightning.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Lightning Overview for Colorado
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Monday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Meteorologist Brianna Bealo provides an overview of lightning in Colorado.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Lightning and Wildfires
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Saturday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jeff Colton discusses lightning and wildfires.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Introduction
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Sunday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jeff Colton provides an overview of Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Lightning Medical Issues for Survivors
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Friday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Lead Forecaster Tom Renwick discusses the medical issues lightning survivors face.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Indoor Lightning Safety
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Thursday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as Lead Forecaster Megan Stackhouse discusses indoor lightning safety.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- Outdoor Lightning Risk Reduction
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- Lightning strikes the ground in the state of Colorado about a half million times each year, and with many of us participating in outdoor activities, we need to learn how to protect ourselves from lightning hazards.
Join us on this Wednesday of Colorado Lightning Safety Awareness Week as NWS Grand Junction Lead Forecaster Megan Stackhouse provides an overview of outdoor lightning risk reduction.
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2022: Flash Flooding
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Salt Lake City, Utah as part of the 2022 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Salt Lake City office takes a look at the dangers of flash flooding associated with the North American Monsoon across the Southwest United States, especially in relation to slot canyons. #Monsoon2k22
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2022: Lightning
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Los Angeles, California as part of the 2022 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Los Angeles office discusses the dangerous lightning that occurs during the North American Monsoon across the Southwest United States. #Monsoon2k22
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
- Title
- NWS Monsoon Awareness Week 2022: Extreme Heat
- Date posted
- 2 years ago
- Description
- This video was created by our friends at the NWS office in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of the 2022 Monsoon Awareness Week. Here, the Las Vegas office provides some extreme heat safety tips during the North American Monsoon. #Monsoon2k22
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National Weather Service
Weather Forecast Office
Grand Junction, CO
