New Mexico : Climatic Conditions

The climate of New Mexico ranges from arid to semiarid, with a wide range of temperatures. The January temperature averages about 35°F (2°C) in the north to about 55°F (13°C) in the southern and central regions. July temperatures range from about 78°F (26°C) at high elevations to around 92°F (33°C) at lower elevations. Average annual precipitation (1971–2000) was 9.5 in (24 cm) in Albuquerque in the desert. The precipitation is much more  at high elevations where the  annual precipitation averaged over 20 in (50 cm). Nearly one-half the annual rainfall comes during July and August, and thunderstorms are common in the summer. Snow is much more frequent in the north than in the south. Albuquerque gets about 10 in (25 cm) of snow per year, and the northern mountains receive up to 100 in (254 cm).