What is the elevation of Portales, NM??? I figure it would get pretty cold there if the elevation were above 3000ft....
We've recieved snow since Saturday, and are expecting snow through Wednesday...
Portales, NM
Elevation: 4021 feet.
In New Mexico (and other places in the Southwest), "pretty cold" only happens if we get a powerful arctic front (which we have twice in the last three weeks), or if one is living in the ski towns (such as Chama, Taos, Durango etc.). Since about, oh, at least 80 to 90% of New Mexico is desert and mountains, guess what happens when cold moist air descends a mountain slope? It dries out, warms up. This turns the high plains dry in the winter, as well as warm before a strong storm event (usually). The desert is about the same way- except it's always dry. The winters suck- it's always cold, always windy.
Rio Rancho, NM
Elevation: 5292-5500 feet.
Albuquerque, NM
Elevation: 4999-6100 feet.
Santa Fe, NM
Elevation: 6996-8200 feet.
Those last three locales and their elevation depends on if you're in the valley floor or in the heights/higher terrain of the area. Rio Rancho (where I'm originally from) sits on the northwest hilly section of the Rio Grande Valley rift. Albuquerque sits right in the middle of the rift zone from the Sandia (
Watermelon in Spanish) Heights to the Petroglyphs (west). Santa Fe sits to the northern edge of the rift. It too has heights, expensive homes sit way up on the mountains of the Sangre de Christo range (
Blood of Christ in Spanish). Santa Fe sees several inches more snow per year than the Albuquerque area does.
One thing about New Mexico? When it does snow, it sure does look purty!
Sandia Crest, elevation 10,678 feet, view from the NWOkay, I'm done with the lecture. Didja learn something?