Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area (COZ207) - Fire Weather Forecast

COZ207-170100-
COZ207-170100-
Southwest Colorado Lower Forecast Area-
258 AM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

Fire Weather Planning Forecast for Wrn Colorado and Ern Utah
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
258 AM MDT Thu Apr 16 2026

.DISCUSSION...
Warmer and drier conditions continue today, with gusty winds 
increasing across the region. Gusts of 45-55 mph will be possible.
This will lead to localized critical fire weather conditions for 
the lower elevations. Friday into the weekend, a low pressure
system moves through bringing cooler temperatures and increased 
shower activity.

...GUSTY ERRATIC WINDS CAN BE EXPECTED NEAR ANY SHOWERS
OR THUNDERSTORMS...
...THE SMOKE DATA IS CALCULATED FROM AN AVERAGE AT 6000 FEET MSL...


.TODAY...
Sky/weather.........Mostly sunny (20-30%) until 1200, then partly 
                    cloudy (40-50%). 
Chc of lightning....0 percent. 
Max temperature.....61-71 F. 
Min humidity........9-14%. 
20-foot winds.......Downslope/downvalley winds 4 to 8 mph becoming 
                    southwest 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 45 mph in 
                    the afternoon. 
CWR.................0 percent. 
15K Ft MSL Winds....Southwest 20 to 30 mph increasing to 25 to 35 
                    mph in the afternoon. 
Mixing Height.......2000 ft AGL until 1000, then 11000 ft AGL. 
Transport Winds.....South 10 to 15 mph until 1200, then southwest 
                    20 to 30 mph. 
Smoke dispersal.....Poor until 0900. Excellent after 1200. 

.TONIGHT...
Sky/weather.........Mostly cloudy (70-80%) until 2400, then partly 
                    cloudy (50-60%). 
Chc of lightning....0 percent. 
Min temperature.....29-39 F. 
Max humidity........48-58%. 
20-foot winds.......Southwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Localized gusts 
                    up to 40 mph decreasing to 30 mph after 
                    midnight. 
CWR.................0 percent. 
15K Ft MSL Winds....Southwest 30 to 40 mph. 
Mixing Height.......11000 ft AGL until 1900. 3000 ft AGL after 
                    2000. 
Transport Winds.....West 10 to 15 mph. 
Smoke dispersal.....Very good until 2100, then poor. 

.FRIDAY...
Sky/weather.........Partly cloudy (50-60%) until 1200, then mostly 
                    sunny (20-30%). 
Chc of lightning....0 percent. 
Max temperature.....45-55 F. 
Min humidity........12-17%. 
20-foot winds.......Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 45 
                    mph. 
CWR.................10 percent. 
15K Ft MSL Winds....Southwest 40 to 50 mph becoming west and 
                    decreasing to 30 to 40 mph in the afternoon. 
Mixing Height.......8000 ft AGL. 
Transport Winds.....Northwest 15 to 20 mph. 
Smoke dispersal.....Poor until 0900. Very good after 1200. 

.FORECAST FOR DAY 3 THROUGH 7...
.SATURDAY...Clear. Lows 19-29. Highs 55-65. Northwest winds 10 to
20 mph with gusts to  40 mph. 
.SUNDAY...Warmer. Mostly clear. Lows 26-36. Highs 66-76. South
winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to  35 mph. 
.MONDAY...Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Lows
38-48. Highs 68-78. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to 
30 mph. 
.TUESDAY...Mostly clear. Lows 39-49. Highs 71-81. 
.WEDNESDAY...Partly cloudy. Lows 36-46. Highs 63-73.