New Mexico Travel Forum

Now before anyone goes harping on me about not seraching for similar posts, I did search and didn't find anything that quite satisfied me!! That said, I was wondering what weather to expect for mid-February in NM. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, down to Carlsbad, White Sands, Roswell. I've been checking the weather networks online frequently and it seems like it's warm during the day (15C - don't know Farenheit). Should we anticipate snow in the towns? I'm expecting snow up at high altitudes (e.g. Sandia Peak). How about driving conditions? We're also driving to Gallup and into Arizona - how about these roads? Thanks!

Sandia Peak: yes, there will likely be snow on the ground. There's also a ski area up there so, if you do drive to get there (versus the tram), there may be traffic for skiing or general snowplay.
The majority of the routes you're speaking of though go through relatively flat, low terrain. Santa Fe and, especially, Taos would have the highest chance of having snow because of their altitude. Albuquerque: less likely. But it's unlikely that you would encounter a storm that would adversely affect your travel.
The route between Carlsbad and White Sands (US 380 or, especially, US 82) goes up into the mountains and would also likely have snow on the ground. However, this is the desert we're talking about, so there's not much precipitation in the first place so, when snow comes down, it more often than not is cleared from the road quickly. Ice becomes a problem, but it's not enough to necessarily change your initial travel plans. Plan to do these places but, if bad luck and bad weather come your way while there, then plan an alternate. There are nearly always ways around it.

Babz its really hard to say. It will probably be pleasant enough anywhere in New Mexico when you visit but there is the real posibility of snow and lots of it. If that happens it might take a day for the roads to become passable but generaly the roads will be suitable for travel.

If you drive toward Gallup and Arizona stay on I 40 and you will be fine. You will know if the Interstate isnt OK to travel on- they will close it. If the weather is good you might take a foray or two onto old route 66.
If you get as far as the Petrified Forest check it out, especially the petroglyphs.

15 degrees sounds about right, plus or minus 5 and about 0 at night. Warmer in the South, cooler in the North. Probably sunny

I am guessing that someone from Winnipeg will think most places in New Mexico and Arizona in mid-February are like early summer back home. Here the weather is a big function of the elevation. In most places that you are going, it will be 55-65 F (13-18 C) during the day and below freezing during the night. You will probably miss the Spring winds, which usually come a little later. If we do have a snow storm (from Canada!), chances are that the roads will be clear after a day. At the lower elevations, it probably won't even stick anyway.

I was there in Dec 2001 and it was extremely windy and cold at night but the days were pleasant. The air was so dry that my skin felt like leather. Be sure to take moisturizers with you if you with suffer from dry skin.

Hi Babz,
I hope you have lots of time, as the areas you have included, to do them right, should take a couple of weeks. I have been in Santa Fe and Albuquerque in mid-February and had beautiful sunny days - cold nights and no snow. I have also been in Sante Fe and Albuquerque at the same time of year and had five or six inches of snow, so my best recommendation is to check the weather networks - weather.com or noaa.gov just before you leave Winnipeg and you should be able to pull up the 10 day forecast. It is not always accurate, but it is usually close enough to plan you clothing and your driving directions. There will be snow on Sandia Peak and up above Santa Fe at the ski area, however, New Mexico DOT keeps the roads clear.
Traveling to Arizona from Albuquerque, stay on I-40 and you will have no problems. I highly recommend a short detour off I-40 to Acoma Sky City. The new cultural center at the base of this Pueblo is beautiful and full of information. The Acoma people provide a guided tour up onto the Sky City Pueblo and it is also worth the price of admission.
Enjoy your travels!
Wayne
traveltothewest.com

Thanks everyone :) Wonderful help as always!

Also, don't forget that if a road is closed due to snow--there are always ways to get around it to get to your destination. Rarely--and I mean rarely--would you get snowed in. There are other routes beside I-40 and I-25 to get out of Albuquerque, for example. Take the road less traveled for an adventure!