Early this week will feel more like fall than Christmas, with potentially record-breaking high temperatures across the Four Corners.
Warm and dry conditions are expected in Montezuma County through Tuesday, before rain arrives midweek and a chance of light snow is forecast for the valleys this weekend.
National Weather Service forecaster Katie Abbott said areas in the county could reach the low 60s Monday and Tuesday, with a few locations potentially warming even further if sunshine persists.
NWS said these temperatures are 20 to 25 degrees above normal for this time of year.
While official climate records are not kept at stations in the immediate area, Abbott said the warmth is notable for late December and is expected to approach or exceed record highs across much of the interior West.
“This heat is pretty significant for what we typically see this time of year,” said Abbott, who works at the Grand Junction regional headquarters.
The warmth is driven by high pressure positioned to the south, which has set up a southwestern flow across the region, Abbott said. Additionally, cloud cover has decreased since last weekend, allowing temperatures to climb even higher.
Rain is expected in the valleys late Wednesday into Thursday. Despite the shift to wetter conditions, temperatures should remain mild, which means snow will likely be limited to higher elevations. Abbott said snow is unlikely below roughly 9,500 to 10,000 feet.
Expected rain totals are still preliminary, but NWS said current projections point to roughly a quarter to three-tenths of an inch over about two days, with most locations staying under half an inch.
Over the weekend, Abbott said cooler air is expected to arrive late Friday into Saturday, increasing the chance for snow – though the snow appears light at this point.
“A light amount – it's looking like at this moment. We could see that snow level fall and reach elevations either just above the valley floors or potentially some light snow in the valleys as well,” Abbott said.
It may be a slushy mix of rain and snow across the county, while the mountains see light accumulations continuing into Sunday. Any travel impacts are more likely in higher mountain passes, she said.
“It’s a little too early to pin down what exactly travel might look like just because there's some forecast uncertainties with it being a week away,” Abbott said. “With a lot of people traveling this week, it'll be good to keep an eye on the forecast as the week progresses.”
