Warm sunshine compliments our Independence Day

3 days ago

KKCO-TV

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO) - Weather will cooperate with us for the Independence Day happenings across Western Colorado.

Independence Day Events

The fireworks at Snooks Bottom in Fruita starts at 9:30 this evening. Weather will be clear with a temperature around 80 degrees. The Independence Day Parade starts at 10 AM Thursday in both Downtown Grand Junction and in Palisade. Expect abundant sunshine with a temperature near 76 degrees. We’ll warm to 80 degrees just after 11 AM. Then the Grand Junction Jackalopes play at 5:35 PM. First Pitch will be sunny at 90 degrees. The last quarter will be sunny with lower 80s. The Grand Junction fireworks will begin just after the end of the game at Suplizio Field.

Elevated Wildfire Risk

Be aware that the wildfire risk is up. It’s not the higher wildfire risk we’ve had, but it’s high enough that we should be extra cautious and not let fireworks get away from us. On our scale of 0-8+, fire danger peaked around 6-7 on Wednesday afternoon. It will subside overnight, but will increase to around 4-5 on Thursday afternoon and evening. Again, it’s not the highest, but it’s more than halfway up our wildfire risk scale. This means weather conditions are favorable for wildfires to start and spread out of control quickly.

Drought Monitor Update

The weekly Drought Monitor update is usually released on Thursday. It was released on Wednesday this week since Thursday is a holiday. It showed some good news! There is no more drought remaining in Western Colorado. All of that rain we’ve been getting has been a huge help. Even with no drought, we’re still considered “abnormally dry,” which is just one step below drought. We still need some moisture, and the abnormally dry rating can also contribute to the wildfire risk.

Our Next 24 Hours

This evening will be clear. We’ll cool from upper 80s and lower 90s at 6 PM to upper 70s and lower 70s at 10 PM. The rest of tonight will be near 61 degrees around Grand Junction, 52 degrees around Montrose, 53 degrees around Delta, and 51 degrees around Cortez. Thursday - Independence Day - will be sunny and seasonably warm. We’ll warm from 50s and 60s at 7 AM to near 80 degrees at 11 AM, then to mid-80s to low 90s at 3 PM. High temperatures will be near 91 degrees around Grand Junction, 84 degrees around Delta, 89 degrees around Delta, and 89 degrees around Cortez.