With lingering midlevel moisture, modest instability, and a weak wave moving through the flow aloft, stronger showers and thunderstorms developed over the higher terrain north of I-70. Dry surface levels helped to enhance thunderstorm outflow winds, with peak gusts generally below severe criteria, but at least one gust above criteria recorded.
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Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
The episode as NWS GJT wrote it up.
With lingering midlevel moisture, modest instability, and a weak wave moving through the flow aloft, stronger showers and thunderstorms developed over the higher terrain north of I-70. Dry surface levels helped to enhance thunderstorm outflow winds, with peak gusts generally below severe criteria, but at least one gust above criteria recorded.
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Grand Junction, CO wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jun 2, 11:59 AM MST, 2 hours 31 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 1259 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 .KEY MESSAGES... - Showers and thunderstorms will fire over northern portions of the CWA today. Gusty winds and small hail expected from the stronger cells. - Another round of convection expected Monday with the Flat Tops and northern mountains favored during the evening hours. - Temperatures will remain above normal and into the coming week. The warmest temperatures of the season thus far will be Thursday and Friday at 10 to 15 degrees above normal. - Major stem rivers will continue to show rises over the coming days thanks to warm surface temperatures. && .SHORT TERM /THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT/... Issued at 1217 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 Convection has already started firing over the northern valleys as expected. This convection is in response to an approaching shortwave trough that is just to our west. As it moves through, convection will increase though models have consistently placed the convection over northern portions of the CWA. Limited moisture will preclude most, if any, convection for areas south though a quick popup can't be completely ruled out. Forecast soundings highlight dry lower levels across the area which is also borne out with local obs reporting humidities in the teens. This type of environment favors gusty surface winds and don't see that changing this afternoon. Some outflow winds from the stronger cells will likely reach 40 to 50 mph, if not a bit higher. Forecast DCAPE values range from 500 to over 1000 J/kg in some spots so chances are increased for stronger downdrafts associated with this convection. Along with the winds, some hail will also be possible. Outside of the convection, the usual Cu buildup over the higher terrain will occur along with some high clouds moving overhead. Convection will die down later this evening giving way to calm conditions. The next shortwave trough to move in will move in from the northwest. The base of the trough won't move through until the late evening hours on Monday so while northern portions of the CWA might see a few showers/storms coverage will be minimal at best. One thing many areas will see will be some gusty surface winds ahead of the wave. Areas north of the San Juans will see gusts of 25 to 35 mph with lower gusts south. Heading into the evening hours, the northern mountains and Flat Tops are favored to see some showers and a few storms. Like today, outside of the showers/storms, look for some mid to high level clouds from mid afternoon onwards. Warm temperatures remain. && .LONG TERM /TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY/... Issued at 1217 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 A weak but dry embedded wave may kick off a few more thunderstorms across the northwest Colorado mountains on Tuesday afternoon but, elsewhere, look for drier and warmer weather. A strong ridge of high pressure will build across the Desert Southwest while a potent upper level low dominates the eastern CONUS. Benign weather prevails for Wednesday before the axis of the ridge begins to shift east of the Divide as troughing elongates off the Aleutian Islands. Aiding in the shift will be the presence of a cut off low centered off the coast of Baja, helping to deflect that ridge axis by Thursday. Guidance remains inconsistent regarding the weak advection of subtropical moisture into the area underneath the ridge with the latest NBM knocking back shower potential late in the week. For now, the arrival of at least high-based moisture would bring some passing clouds. This weekend will see the cut off low swing northeast into the southwest CONUS but confidence on what impacts we will see remains low. Overall, the long term will be quiet but by the time we hit the weekend a shift towards more unsettled conditions is possible. As noted in prior discussions, the strong warming trend will be the main highlight of the long term period. Under the building ridge highs will climb to 10 to 15 degrees above normal and even approach the lower triple digits in our desert valleys. Even with the ridge axis shifting farther east later in the period highs will remain 5 to 10 degrees above normal through the weekend. Low temperatures each night will also be unseasonably warm. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z MONDAY/... Issued at 1120 AM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 Another round of isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon, favoring the mountains and areas north of I-70. Outside of activity, expect passing clouds and breezy afternoon winds of 20 to 25 kts at times. Gusty outflow winds can be expected near any shower or storm activity with gusts up to 45 kts possible. Showers diminish this evening with dry weather persisting through Monday morning. Overall, VFR will prevail through the TAF period. && .GJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... CO...None. UT...None. && SHORT TERM...TGR LONG TERM...MMS AVIATION...TGJT
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Grand Junction CO 411 AM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-031015- Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin- Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains- Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor- Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas- Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys- Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin- West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley- Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains- Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River- Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin- San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains- Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat- La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges- 411 AM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah and southeast Utah. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. The probability for widespread hazardous weather is low. However, isolated to scattered thunderstorms are possible mostly over the northern mountains, especially along the Continental Divide this afternoon and evening. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday. Isolated to low end scattered thunderstorms are possible over the Uinta and northern Colorado mountains Monday afternoon and overnight. We'll see a brief pause in thunderstorms Tuesday and Wednesday. Much warmer conditions are possible late in the week with a return of isolated to scattered thunderstorms along the Continental Divide Thursday spreading to the west over the higher terrain Friday and Saturday as moisture moves up from the south. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
1153 AM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
COZ001-002-021830-
Lower Yampa River Basin CO-Central Yampa River Basin CO-
1153 AM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTH CENTRAL MOFFAT COUNTY
THROUGH 1230 PM MDT...
At 1153 AM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 26
miles northeast of Rangely, or 50 miles east of Vernal, moving east
at 20 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central
Moffat County.
This includes U.S. Highway 40 in Colorado between mile markers 40 and
46.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4039 10864 4048 10866 4060 10836 4036 10830
TIME...MOT...LOC 1753Z 261DEG 15KT 4043 10857
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
MSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
155 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
COZ002-004-005-013-022030-
Flat Tops CO-Upper Yampa River Basin CO-
Elkhead and Park Mountains CO-Central Yampa River Basin CO-
155 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHEASTERN ROUTT COUNTY
THROUGH 230 PM MDT...
At 154 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Oak Creek, or 35 miles southeast of Craig, moving east at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Oak Creek, Milner, Phippsburg, and Tow Creek.
This includes the following highways...
U.S. Highway 40 in Colorado between mile markers 120 and 125, and
between mile markers 140 and 141.
Colorado 131 between mile markers 45 and 66.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4011 10664 4012 10683 4040 10722 4052 10699
4026 10664 4022 10663
TIME...MOT...LOC 1954Z 249DEG 13KT 4028 10696
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KJSSpecial Weather Statement
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
217 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
COZ002-005-013-022100-
Flat Tops CO-Upper Yampa River Basin CO-Central Yampa River Basin CO-
217 PM MDT Sun Jun 2 2024
...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT WEST CENTRAL ROUTT AND
SOUTHEASTERN MOFFAT COUNTIES THROUGH 300 PM MDT...
At 216 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles southwest of Craig, moving northeast at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Craig, Hayden, and Hamilton.
This includes the following highways...
U.S. Highway 40 in Colorado between mile markers 84 and 96, and
between mile markers 98 and 114.
Colorado 13 between mile markers 72 and 91.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
&&
LAT...LON 4027 10725 4035 10775 4055 10767 4050 10712
TIME...MOT...LOC 2016Z 215DEG 12KT 4038 10767
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
KJSThe Grand Junction radar (KGJX), 109 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:29 UTC.
1 thunderstorm wind. Local standard time, as filed.
The Pinto RAWS station recorded a gust to 60 mph with a passing thunderstorm. This storm also produced a gust to 49 mph at the KEEO ASOS at Meeker Airport.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Colorado in 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Colorado, June 2024
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1197686.