990
FXUS65 KGJT 101145
AFDGJT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
445 AM MST Wed Dec 10 2025

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Snow showers will continue through this afternoon in the
  northern Colorado mountains. 2 to 5 inches of snow are
  possible at or above pass level with blowing snow.

- Strong gusts of 30 to 50 mph are possible through Wednesday
  across mountain ranges.

- A warming trend is expected with dry conditions over the
  coming days through at least mid December. Some locations may
  see high temperatures reach 15-20 degrees above normal.

&&

.SHORT TERM /THROUGH THURSDAY/...
Issued at 238 AM MST Wed Dec 10 2025

Satellite imagery is showing broken cloud cover moving across
northeast utah into northwest and west-central Colorado
associated with Pacific moisture streaming in from the
northwest. Infrared satellite is showing better enhancement with
a jet streak to our northeast across southwest Wyoming. The
southern end of this jet streak is clipping the Elkheads and
Park Range, with some favorable orographic lift generating
occasional light snow showers. Mountain webcams and SNOTEL don`t
seem to indicate much in the way of accumulation at this time.
With the better forcing to our northeast, it appears our
snowfall will be less than initially anticipated. Models
indicate this orographic northwest flow to be enough to continue
snowfall this morning through the afternoon mainly above 9000
feet at or above pass level with maybe 2 to 5 inches of snow
possible. We could see some impacts over Rabbit Ears Pass this
morning if this snow comes to fruition but should stay below
advisory levels. The upper level jet will however generate some
wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph at pass level so even if
accumulations remain on the lighter side, blowing snow remains a
concern. Snow should taper off by late afternoon as the jet
lifts north of the area and the shortwave trough over the upper
Midwest moves further east with high pressure ridge building in
behind it to our west. High pressure will return dry weather
area wide Thursday with northwest flow still present over the
area and some passing clouds across northwest Colorado but
overall mostly sunny skies should prevail for the day on
Thursday. High temperatures will still remain 10 to 15 degrees
above normal so not much of a cool down is anticipated.

&&

.LONG TERM /THURSDAY NIGHT THROUGH TUESDAY/...
Issued at 152 PM MST Tue Dec 9 2025

Northwest flow remains in place through the end of the period.
The plume of moisture shifts north of the area, but may continue
to bring periodic clouds. The ridge centered over the eastern
Pacific may move inland and end up over the Intermountain West.
This will keep us dry and warm. Much of the area will see
multiple days of high temperatures 15-20 degrees above normal
for mid-December.

&&

.AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/...
Issued at 445 AM MST Wed Dec 10 2025

Some low and mid level clouds will continue through the morning
with light rain and snow showers at KHDN and the northern
mountains through the morning hours. CIGS will be near ILS
breakpoints at times at KHDN, KASE and KEGE with improving
conditions by afternoon. Skies will generally clear by evening.
VFR conditions will prevail elsewhere with light winds through
the TAF period.

&&

.GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...

CO...None.
UT...None.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...MDA
LONG TERM...KJS
AVIATION...TGJT