Grand Junction and the Western Slope will feel a quick chill Wednesday as gusty winds finally die down overnight, delivering the coolest day of the week before a fast warm-up pushes temperatures back into the 70s by the weekend.
After a windy Tuesday that saw gusts hit 41 mph in Meeker and 38 mph in Rifle, the strongest winds will ease after 2 a.m., setting the stage for a calm and sunny Wednesday across the region.
Winds Calm Down Just in Time
The cold front that brought the gusty conditions Tuesday afternoon arrived a little later than expected, but it still packed a punch in northwest and southwest Colorado.
Peak gusts reported Tuesday:
- Meeker: 41 mph
- Rifle: 38 mph
- Grand Junction, Montrose, Delta, Cortez: 20-25 mph
By sunrise Wednesday, most locations will see winds drop below 10 mph, making it feel noticeably calmer outside.
Wednesday Brings the Coolest Day of the Week
Expect plenty of sunshine and seasonably cool temperatures Wednesday. Highs will range from the mid-50s to low 60s across western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Expected highs Wednesday:
- Grand Junction: 58°F
- Delta: 59°F
- Cortez: 59°F
- Montrose: 55°F
- Moab: 62°F
Morning lows will dip into the low to mid-30s, with Montrose and Delta potentially touching the upper 20s before sunrise.
This will be the coolest day we see for the next 10 days, according to First Alert Chief Meteorologist Stephen Bowers.
Big Warm-Up Starts Thursday and Keeps Going
The cool snap lasts exactly one day.
Thursday jumps back into the mid-60s, Friday climbs to the upper 60s and lower 70s, and Saturday should top out in the low to mid-70s across much of the Western Slope.
The warmth continues into next week. Many valleys could flirt with 80 degrees by next Thursday or Friday, well above normal for early April.
7-day temperature trend at Grand Junction:
- Wednesday: 58° (coolest day)
- Thursday: 66°
- Friday: 71°
- Saturday: 73°
- Sunday: 68° (slight dip)
- Monday: 72°
- Tuesday: 76°
- Next Wednesday: 78-80°
What This Means for You
If you’ve been waiting to get outside without fighting wind or heavy coats, Wednesday is your day. It’s perfect for yard work, a hike, or just opening the windows to air out the house before the heat returns.
But don’t put the jackets away for good. Another brief cool-down is possible a week from now, though nothing close to freezing looks likely at this point.
Western Colorado’s weather is doing what it does best: giving us a taste of every season in the same week. Enjoy the calm and cool Wednesday because summer-like warmth is already knocking on the door.
What’s your favorite part about these big spring warm-ups? Drop your thoughts in the comments and tag a friend who needs to plan a weekend hike while it’s this nice!
