Santa Fe Weather & Tips

Santa Fe Tips: If this is your first time to Santa Fe and the Inn of the Governors, you will be interested in reading some of our thoughts on how best to enjoy your time with us. We have provided information on visitor information, suggestions for what to bring, information about our culture and local laws, and additional resources to keep you up-to-date on what’s happening in Santa Fe.

• Weather
• Visitor Information
• What To Bring
• Culture
• Local Laws

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Santa Fe Weather

Santa Fe has a very dry, high desert climate with intense sunlight. On average, the city experiences more than 300 sunny days per year. The highest temperatures in July and August are 80-90 °F with only 3-6 days per year with 90+°F highs. The Santa Fe rainy season is generally July through August when thunderstorms quickly come through in the afternoon. Santa Fe averages only 14 inches of rain annually. Snow season occurs from November through April, with an average of 32 inches of snow in town and up to 300 inches in the ski areas.

Temperature and Rainfall

	TEMPERATURE °F			RAINFALL
	AVERAGE	HIGH	LOW	Inches
January	29	40	18	0.6
February	32	44	21	0.6
March	38	50	26	0.9
April	46	59	33	0.8
May	55	68	42	0.9
June	65	78	51	1.0
July	68	81	55	2.4
August	66	78	53	2.6
September	59	71	47	1.6
October	50	62	38	1.0
November	38	49	27	0.8
December	30	41	19	0.8
Annual	48	60	36	1.4

Sunrise/Sunset Times

	SUNRISE	SUNSET
January	7:00 - 7:15am	5:00 - 5:15pm
February	6:45 - 7:00am	5:30 - 5:45pm
March	6:15 - 6:30am	6:00 - 6:15pm
April	5:45 - 6:30am	6:30 - 7:30pm
May	6:00 - 6:15am	7:45 - 8:00pm
June	5:45 - 6:00am	8:15 - 8:30pm
July	5:45 - 6:00am	8:15 - 8:30pm
August	6:15 - 6:30am	7:45 - 8:15pm
September	6:30 - 6:45am	7:00 - 7:15pm
October	7:00 - 7:15am	6:30 - 6:45pm
November	6:30 - 6:45am	5:00 - 5:15pm
December	6:45 - 7:00am	4:45 – 5:00pm

Weather Condition Information

You may also find weather, road and ski condition information at the follow sources:

Weatherline (ABQ Journal North)	505-988-5151
New Mexico State Highway & Transportation Dept	800-432-4269
Arizona	888-411-7623
Colorado	303-639-1111
Texas	800-452-9292
Ski New Mexico	505-858-2422

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Visitor Information

Tourism Santa Fe	800-777-CITY	website
Santa Fe Visitors Center	800-777-CITY	201 West Marcy Street
Santa Fe County Chamber of Commerce	505-988-3279	website
New Mexico Department of Tourism		website
La Bajada Visitor Information Center	505-424-0823	I-25 17 miles south of Santa Fe
The Access New Mexico Guide (Disabled Travelers)		website
Foreign Visitors	800-777-CITY	website

• Area code for the state is 505 or 575 depending on where you are calling
• Mountain Standard Time Zone (Daylight Savings Observed)
• Emergency dial 911
• Population of Santa Fe is estimated at 141,557 (as of 2016)
• Altitude 7000 ft. above sea level. Some people may feel fatigue, unusual thirst, or even dizziness for a day or so. Be sure to drink lots of water, it helps greatly with altitude sickness. Alcoholic beverages will affect most people sooner. Use caution when exercising (give yourself time to adjust to the altitude before partaking of any strenuous physical activities such as skiing, running, hiking, etc.)
• High Desert conditions cause limited water supplies. Water conservation restrictions are followed in hotels, restaurants, etc.
• Seasonal events may affect hotel and/or restaurant availability and reservations should be made as far in advance as possible. Please see the Event Calendar for major event listings.
• Parking is difficult in the downtown area. However, parking at the hotel is complimentary for our guests and most downtown attractions are within walking distance.
• For information on Local Allergens, visit www.pollen.com/library_local.asp
• Santa Fe is 65 miles North of Albuquerque (Main Airport) in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and 75 miles south of Taos.

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What To Bring

• Layered Clothing. Early morning and evenings in Santa Fe can be cool even in the summer months.
• Walking Shoes. Parking is a challenge in downtown Santa Fe. Walking is the preferred means of site seeing.
• Sunscreen. High desert means closer to the sun. Sunburns are possible even in winter.
• Hat/Visor/Sunglasses. Santa Fe has over 300 sunny days annually.
• Bathing Suit. Our outdoor, heated swimming pool is open year round.
• Camera. Santa Fe has unforgettable natural beauty and unique architecture.
• Credit Card (Many local businesses don’t accept out of state personal or business checks).
• An additional bag to carry home your gifts and souvenirs.

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Culture

• Multi-Cultural Community (Native American, Mexican, Spanish, Hispanic, and Anglo primarily).
• Red or Green Chile (commonly served in restaurants) is HOT! Use caution when ordering New Mexican food, and perhaps try ordering your Chile on the side. When ordering both, ask for Christmas, just like the locals.
• Pueblos have very specific etiquette, and may close for holidays or ceremonies. Please check the pueblos website before you visit for specific information.

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Local Laws

• All drivers/passengers are required to wear safety belts while traveling in a moving vehicle.
• New Mexico has a law against driving while using a hand-held cell phone.
• No helmets are required (only eye protection) for motorcyclists over the age of 18, but are highly recommended.
• Wildfire Restrictions Apply.
• Smoking is not permitted in public areas or 25 feet from a public entrance.
• Smoking is not permitted in restaurants or bars.
• The legal age for gambling in New Mexico is 18.
• The legal age for drinking in New Mexico is 21.

Amenities Best Downtown Value Our Official Guide to Santa Fe