New Mexico Weather

[The_Works]

I'm not exactly sure where in the forum to ask this question but I will start here. I'm starting to do my weather research but I'm going to ask anyway. We will be concluding a long trip through Utah around mid October and we would like to spend a month to six weeks in New Mexico. Our concern is weather conditions during this time and where is a place we came camp, we have a 5th wheel, and be reasonably sure we won't get snowed in. Our final destination is around Phoenix, AZ to winter over. Thanks for your thoughts and input, be safe.

[arnko37]

I spent a couple of winters in Deming. Most mornings were in the mid 20s temp. There is nice scenery and many interesting day trips to take. I thought it worth putting up with some colder weather.

[her_I]

moonlightrunner wrote:
Stay out of ANY of the NM mountains in the winter and you will avoid MOST of the snow. Most any valley area south of I40 will keep you out of most of the snow. I can't say ALL since snow will fall most anyplace it gets cold enough, including south FL (been there, seen it, early 70's). It has been getting cold around the third week of November. "Overnight" freeze temps usually means that shortly before sunrise, the temps drop briefly to freezing. Rarely have the temps dropped to below freezing over night for more than one night at a time but that is usually in Jan/Feb. A word of warning. Do not get out on snowy roads. Wait until they clear. The people out here have no clue as to how to drive in snow. They are dangerous. Also the counties simply are not used to dealing with snow and it takes a while to clear things out. So be prepared for some freezing temps and be prepared to get delayed. I do know that some friends of mine got stuck here in Socorro (I75) because of deep snows one Thanksgiving, then another big storm blew thru a week later and caused another delay. I 75 was shut down both times and ABQ lost power big time. So weather happens on it's own schedule. Like I said... it can snow anytime, anywhere. Just be prepared if you are going to travel in the winter. No big whoop.

How did you get to I75 in New Mexico?

[robatthelake]

What about in April?

[Dave_s_Wife]

We use weatherbase.com to scout conditions. It is pretty helpful.

Sheila aka...

[moonlightrunner]

Stay out of ANY of the NM mountains in the winter and you will avoid MOST of the snow. Most any valley area south of I40 will keep you out of most of the snow. I can't say ALL since snow will fall most anyplace it gets cold enough, including south FL (been there, seen it, early 70's). It has been getting cold around the third week of November. "Overnight" freeze temps usually means that shortly before sunrise, the temps drop briefly to freezing. Rarely have the temps dropped to below freezing over night for more than one night at a time but that is usually in Jan/Feb. A word of warning. Do not get out on snowy roads. Wait until they clear. The people out here have no clue as to how to drive in snow. They are dangerous. Also the counties simply are not used to dealing with snow and it takes a while to clear things out. So be prepared for some freezing temps and be prepared to get delayed. I do know that some friends of mine got stuck here in Socorro (I75) because of deep snows one Thanksgiving, then another big storm blew thru a week later and caused another delay. I 75 was shut down both times and ABQ lost power big time. So weather happens on it's own schedule. Like I said... it can snow anytime, anywhere. Just be prepared if you are going to travel in the winter. No big whoop.

[PenMan]

Stay out of the northern mountains of NM and you won't have a problem with snow that time of year. The balloon fiesta in Albuquerque is the first week of October and a jacket is almost always needed but thousands of RVs are there every year. As others have said the southern part of the state will be much warmer but the weather in NM can change quickly so it is always good to watch the forecasts. Enjoy your time here in the Land of Enchantment.

[RoadLife]

We stayed in Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake State Parks November thru mid-December this past year. We had 70-80 degree days and we had three days of snow. Local residents said the snow was very unusual for that time of year. Of the two we preferred Caballo Lake as it was full and Elephant Butte was way down. There is not a whole lot to do in the area other than outdoor activities. Truth or Consequences has a cute Old Town.

[2oldman]

Historical weather data is available on weather.com and other places.

[almcc]

We come through southern New Mexico (up from El Paso through Deming the into Arizona stopping in Tucson)in mid-November each year. We haven't been snowed in but this past November there was snow in the forecast for Deming so we only stayed a night before hitting Tucson. It also can be cool with below freezing temps overnight. I don't think that you would get snowed in around the Deming area but staying there wouldn't be a "warm" experience!

[Mandalay_Parr]

Elephant Butte should be good. Cedar Cove RV resort would suit your needs. EB is about 3400 ft elevation.