Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Albuquerque in January
Little changes in Albuquerque from December: highs stay near 49°F (9°C), lows near 26°F (-4°C), and about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow falls.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 69/100, 8th of 12.
- Avg high
- 49°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-4°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.6 in (14 mm)
- Humidity
- 55%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 69/100 · Good
What January feels like
Cool days top out near 49°F (9°C), better for brisk walks than lingering outside.
Average lows of 26°F (-4°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow, and since nights fall well below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around January
January sits mid-table; the best months are March – May and September – November.
- Comfort holds steady from December (68 → 69/100).
- Our Santa Fe & Albuquerque route is planned for Mid-Dec – early Jan, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — January is part of it.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 49°F
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Albuquerque in January
January is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Old Town Albuquerque
The original 1706 plaza, with adobe shops and a lit Christmas tree, lined with luminarias on Christmas Eve.
Why now January scores 69/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
River of Lights
Walk-through light show at the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, with large lit sculptures of animals and plants.
Why now Highs near 49°F and 0.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Sandia Peak Tramway
Aerial tram climbing about 4 km to the 3,163 m crest of the Sandias, often snowy in winter, with views over the city.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
San Felipe de Neri Church
Adobe church from 1793 on the north side of the Old Town plaza, still an active parish.
Frontier Restaurant
Busy diner across from the university since 1971, known for breakfast burritos and sweet rolls.
Nearby in January
- Santa Fe in January~58 mi · highs 41°F, 0.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Abiquiú in January~80 mi · highs 44°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Taos in January~110 mi · highs 41°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Aspen in January~284 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 10°C (19°F) cooler by day, wetter
These averages also cover Nob Hill and Old Town Albuquerque.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,687 m to Albuquerque's ~1,510 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Albuquerque in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Albuquerque?
It's middling, scoring 69/100. The best months are March – May and September – November, at up to 99. Expect highs of 49°F (9°C) and 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Albuquerque in January?
Average highs are 49°F (9°C) and average lows 26°F (-4°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Albuquerque in January?
Not much: about 0.6 in (14 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 6th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 10.2 in (258 mm).
What should I pack for Albuquerque in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 49°F), hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Albuquerque
Routes in season in January
- Santa Fe & Albuquerque Mid-Dec – early Jan
Planning Albuquerque in January?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.