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A New Mexico summer sky - on New Mexico Hwy 14 to Santa Fe |
A lot of people think New Mexico is like Arizona - hot and desert-like. Some people even picture
saguaro cactus when they think of New Mexico.
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Sahuaro cacti in Sabino Canyon, Tucson, Arizona |
To set the record straight, there is not a single saguaro cactus in New Mexico - they only grow in Arizona.
New Mexico is #2 (after Arizona) for the most days of sunshine of all the United States. But, it is a whole lot cooler than Arizona in the summer.
Most of New Mexico is mountainous, high plains and buttes over 5000 ft. above sea level. Our most famous desert is the beautiful
National Monument of White Sands.
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White Sands National Monument (NPS photo) |
The most southern portion of the Rocky Mountains extends into northern New Mexico where the highest point is Mt. Wheeler,
13,161 feet above sea level, about 15 miles north of Taos, NM "as the crow flies". The lowest elevation of New Mexico is 2,842 feet above sea level, at Red Bluff Reservoir on the Pecos River.
Climate (All temperatures Fahrenheit) |
Highest Temperature | The highest temperature recorded in New Mexico is 122°, Fahrenheit. This record high was recorded on June 27, 1994 at Lakewood. |
Lowest Temperature | The lowest temperature in New Mexico, -50 °, was recorded on February 1, 1951 at Gavilan. |
Average Temperature | Monthly average temperatures range from a high of 92.8 degrees to a low of 22.3 degrees. |
| (from: http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/nm_geography.htm) |
Where I live in central New Mexico (Albuquerque),
we have 4 seasons that are reasonably mild with an average of 9.39 inches of rainfall and 10 inches of snowfall annually. This year has been very unusual with much hotter weather in June with several days of 100+ temperatures and several weeks of 90+ temperatures.
Summer in New Mexico is a wonderful season for outdoors activities as long as you plan for some extreme weather events like sudden afternoon thunderstorms, strong wind gusts, and short sustained rainfalls that may include hail. Take plenty of water and wear sunscreen when you hike or bike or are just going to be outside for a while because we have strong UV light and very low humidity.
For ideas of what to see or do in New Mexico, check out the
State Tourism website.
Here are pictures of some of the places Ron and I have traveled to in New Mexico and where we've taken family:
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Valles Caldera National Preserve |
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Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta Mass Ascension from Rio Rancho |
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Ron at overlook of Rio Chama south of Vado Lake |
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Tailgating at the Santa Fe Opera |
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Inside Carlsbad Caverns |
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Ron and I camping at Navajo Lake State PARK |