Our Christmas forecast is for rain and snow, but until then, it will be dry and uncommonly mild.
Christmas Weather Preview
Christmas is on our radar and in our 7-day forecast. This forecast is subject to change as it is still a week away. For much of this week, our long-range forecast data has consistently shown valley rain and mountain snow on Christmas Day. The most recent data indicate valley rain and mountain snow are still possible, with high temperatures in the low to mid-40s.
It’s warm enough for rain in the valleys. The storm system moves through California, Nevada, and Utah between Tuesday and Tuesday night before arriving in Colorado early Wednesday morning. We’ll have additional specifics on this forecast as Christmas approaches.
Holiday Travel This Weekend
Overall, the outlook for holiday travel this weekend is positive. The West Coast is an exception. A storm system moving inland from the Pacific will deliver rain and mountain snow from Washington to Oregon and Northern California. That storm will travel inland and weaken Saturday night and Sunday morning before another storm system brings more rain and mountain snow to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday.
This Weekend in Western Colorado
Our weather in Western Colorado appears favorable for both inbound and outbound travel. Expect largely sunny skies on Saturday, with highs in the lower 50s and morning lows in the low to mid-20s. Teens can occur in the coldest climates. Sunday will begin sunny but eventually become partly cloudy. High temperatures will be in the upper 40s and lower 50s, with morning lows in the mid-to upper 20s.
Long-Range Trends
Even with a risk of rain and snow on Christmas, temperatures will remain above average. The 6-10 day prognosis significantly favors above-normal temperatures, with a 70% chance for December 24-28. The probability decreases slightly 8-14 days away, but we’re still 50-60% likely to see above-normal temperatures from December 26 to January 1.
Our Next 24 Hours
This evening will be somewhat overcast. At 6 p.m., we’ll drop from the mid-to-upper 30s to the low-to-mid 30s, then to the upper 20s and lower 30s by 10 p.m. The remainder of tonight will be partly cloudy to largely clear. Low temperatures in the morning will be around 26 degrees near Grand Junction, 22 degrees near Montrose, 22 degrees near Delta, 18 degrees near Cortez, and 21 degrees near Moab.
Thursday will be largely sunny. around 7 a.m., we’ll warm from the mid-to-high 20s to the upper 30s and lower 40s, then to the mid-to-upper 40s around 3 p.m., High temperatures will hover around 50 degrees around Grand Junction, 47 degrees near Montrose, 49 degrees near Delta, 51 degrees near Cortez, and 48 degrees near Moab.