Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Santa Fe in January
Little changes in Santa Fe from December: highs stay near 41°F (5°C), lows near 19°F (-7°C), and about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 57/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 0.7 in (19 mm)
- Humidity
- 61%
- Cloud cover
- 42%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 50 min
- Comfort score
- 57/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Highs only reach about 41°F (5°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 19°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Precipitation is light, about 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow, and since the average temperature is below freezing, what does fall may well be snow.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are April & May and August – October.
- Comfort holds steady from December (55 → 57/100).
- Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so January falls outside its suggested window.
- 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
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 19°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Santa Fe in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Romanesque stone cathedral at the end of San Francisco Street, with a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Canyon Road
Half-mile lane packed with about 100 galleries in adobe houses.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
La Choza
The Shed's sister restaurant near the Railyard, with the same chile and blue corn enchiladas.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors
1610 adobe palace and adjoining museum covering New Mexico's history.
Canyon Road Farolito Walk
On Christmas Eve, the gallery street fills with walkers, carolers, small bonfires and thousands of candlelit farolitos.
Meow Wolf House of Eternal Return
Immersive art installation inside a Victorian house with secret passages.
Nearby in January
- Abiquiú in January~42 mi · highs 44°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Taos in January~54 mi · highs 41°F, 1.0 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Albuquerque in January~58 mi · highs 49°F, 0.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Aspen in January~247 mi · highs 30°F, 1.9 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) cooler by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,972 m to Santa Fe's ~2,132 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.
Santa Fe in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Santa Fe?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 57/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are April & May and August – October. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 0.7 in (19 mm) of rain or snow. Our Northern New Mexico High Desert route recommends Mar – May, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Santa Fe in January?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Santa Fe in January?
Not much: about 0.7 in (19 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 13.3 in (338 mm).
What should I pack for Santa Fe in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in January
- Santa Fe & Albuquerque Mid-Dec – early Jan
Planning Santa Fe in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.