Grand Junction woke up Friday to a sight rarely seen this early: a thick blanket of snow that shattered a daily record standing since 1913. The official measurement of 3.1 inches at Grand Junction Regional Airport erased the old mark of 2.8 inches, surprising residents and sending many straight to their favorite coffee shops for warmth and company.
Century-Old Record Falls on November Afternoon
National Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Bowers confirmed the new record Friday evening.
“We measured 3.1 inches today,” Bowers said. “That officially breaks the previous daily record of 2.8 inches set back in 1913.”
The snow began falling Thursday night and continued through Friday morning, catching many locals off guard. While 3.1 inches might seem modest to Denver residents, it is exceptional for Grand Junction in early November.
This is now the snowiest November 8 on record in Grand Junction history.
Road crews worked through the morning clearing main streets, while Colorado Mesa University students bundled up for shorter walks between classes. No major accidents or closures were reported, but the sudden winter preview slowed everyone down in the best possible way.
Coffee Shops Turn into Cozy Community Hubs
Local coffee shops saw an immediate surge in customers seeking refuge from the cold.
Copeka Coffee on Main Street was packed by mid-morning. Barista Abe Vasquez could barely keep up with orders for hot lattes and chai teas.
“Days like this are always busier,” Vasquez said while steaming milk. “People come in shivering, order something warm, and end up staying for hours. It’s way different from sunny days when everyone wants to be outside.”
He added that the snowy weather creates its own atmosphere. “It’s cozy. People bring laptops, books, or just sit and talk. The shop feels like a living room today.”
Similar scenes played out across town. At Kiln Coffee Bar and Roasters, owners reported running out of their popular honey cinnamon lattes by early afternoon, while customers posted photos of snow-covered patios and steaming mugs on social media.
Students and Locals Embrace the Snow Day Vibe
Colorado Mesa University students turned the unexpected snow into an excuse to slow down.
“We had a break between classes and didn’t want to walk across campus in this,” said Olivia Williams, a sophomore studying nursing. “So we came here instead. It’s actually kind of perfect.”
Her friend Nico Olmedo agreed, cradling a hot London Fog tea latte.
“There’s something romantic about drinking something warm when it’s snowing outside,” Olmedo said. “If it was 60 degrees and sunny, we’d be outside. But today feels made for coffee shops and staying in.”
Long-time resident Maria Gonzalez brought her laptop to work remotely from a corner table.
“I grew up here and don’t remember early snow like this,” Gonzalez said. “But I love it. The valley looks so pretty with snow on the Book Cliffs. And honestly, it forces us to slow down a little.”
Early Taste of Winter Excitement
While some residents grumbled about scraping windshields before Thanksgiving, most seemed to welcome the change of pace.
The snow created picture-perfect scenes across the Grand Valley: fresh powder on the Colorado National Monument, frost on the Grand Mesa vineyards, and children building early snowmen in neighborhood parks.
Local ski areas like Powderhorn Mountain Resort celebrated the news, posting on social media that the early snow bodes well for the upcoming season.
For now, Grand Junction residents are making the most of an unexpected gift: a real snow day in November that feels like a preview of the winter magic to come.
The record-breaking snowfall reminds everyone why they love living in western Colorado, where one day you can be wearing shorts and the next you’re sipping hot coffee while watching snow fall outside the window.
What do you think of the early snow? Are you excited for winter or wishing it would hold off a little longer? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, and tag your snowy coffee shop photos with #GrandJunctionSnow if you’re sharing on social media.
