Albuquerque in January
Good time to visit
January offers the cheapest rates and smallest crowds, but you'll be bundled up most of the time. Great for museum hopping and indoor cultural sites.
Weather
January brings crisp, dry desert air with plenty of sunshine. You'll see snow dusting the Sandia Mountains, but the city stays mostly clear. Nights get properly cold, dropping well below freezing.
8°C high-6°C low3 rain days
Crowds & Cost
low crowds
~$85/day average
Events & Festivals
- •New Year's celebrations
- •Three Kings Day celebrations in Old Town
January Tips
- •Pack serious winter layers for evening - the temperature swing is brutal
- •Hotel rates are at their lowest, perfect for budget travelers
- •Many outdoor attractions have reduced hours
All Months
October brings perfect weather and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Over 500 hot air balloons launch at sunrise from Balloon Fiesta Park. Book hotels months ahead — prices triple during the nine-day event. Dawn patrol launches start at 5:45am in near-freezing temperatures, so pack layers.
Spring (March through May) offers mild days and blooming desert wildflowers. The cottonwoods along the Rio Grande turn bright green. This is ideal hiking weather with temperatures in the 60s and 70s. But spring winds can be fierce — dust storms occasionally close the interstate.
Summer gets hot but not unbearable. Afternoon thunderstorms cool things down and create dramatic sunsets over the volcanoes. The monsoon season runs July through September. Many locals escape to the mountains or northern New Mexico.
Winter brings snow to the Sandia Mountains but rarely to the city. December through February sees daytime highs in the 40s and 50s. The low humidity makes it feel warmer. Plus, hotel rates drop significantly.
Albuquerque Scores
Solo
7/10
Couples
6/10
Families
8/10
Adventure
7/10
Budget
8/10
Luxury
4/10
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