Weather in Santa Fe

Stay updated on the current weather in Santa Fe. Here you will find the latest data, detailed forecasts, and visual charts to help plan your time.

The climate in Santa Fe is characterised as arid with four distinct seasons. Tourists can expect a significant range of temperatures throughout the year: from cool winter months to warm, and sometimes hot, summers. Overall, the weather is distinguished by low humidity, which is typical for this type of climate, and an abundance of sunny days.

Winter in Santa Fe is quite cold: the average January temperature is around -1.0°C, with night frosts when the thermometer can drop to -6.9°C. Spring brings gradual warming, setting the stage for a warm summer. The summer months, especially July and August, are the warmest, with an average temperature of about 22.0°C and daily highs regularly reaching 28-29°C. In autumn, the temperature smoothly decreases again, offering comfortable weather before the onset of winter.

A feature of the Santa Fe climate is the low level of precipitation throughout most of the year. However, in the summer period, especially in July and August, there is some increase in quantity – up to 2 mm per month, and the number of days with precipitation can reach 12-14. Nevertheless, even in these months, rains are most often short-lived and do not dampen the general impression of the predominantly sunny weather. In other months, precipitation is minimal, amounting to just 1 mm.

One of the most characteristic features of the Santa Fe climate is the significant daily temperature fluctuations observed throughout the year. The difference between daily highs and nightly lows often exceeds 10-15°C. For example, even in the summer months, when the daytime heat can be palpable, nights bring significant coolness: in July, daily highs reach 28.8°C, while nightly lows drop to 15.2°C. A similar trend persists in the winter period: in January, daytime temperatures can rise to +4.8°C, while at night the thermometer drops to -6.9°C, highlighting the need for layered clothing.

The spring season in Santa Fe is distinguished by a dynamic increase in warmth. March still carries echoes of winter with night temperatures around -1.4°C, although during the day the air can already warm up to +11.2°C. April brings more confident warmth: from +2.5°C at night to +17.6°C during the day. By May, comfortable weather sets in with daily highs around +22.5°C and nightly lows in the region of +7.7°C. Throughout spring, daily temperature changes remain quite pronounced, often amounting to 12-15°C, which is an important feature of the region's climate.

Autumn in Santa Fe is characterised by a smooth but noticeable transition from summer warmth to winter cool. September often still pleases with warm days (up to +24.7°C) and relatively mild nights (around +11.1°C). However, already in October, daytime heating decreases to +17.9°C, and nights become noticeably fresher, with temperatures around +4.9°C. November brings pre-winter weather: daytime values rarely rise above +10.8°C, and nightly lows can reach -1.4°C. As in spring, the autumn months demonstrate significant daily temperature amplitudes, emphasising the transitional nature of these seasons.

A relatively dry climate is observed in Santa Fe throughout most of the year, however, certain patterns in precipitation can be highlighted. The city is not characterised by a distinct season of torrential rains, but the summer months bring a noticeable increase in both the amount of precipitation and the number of rainy days.

The wettest period in Santa Fe is July and August. In these months, an average of 2 mm of precipitation falls, which is the maximum for the year. July also leads in the number of days with precipitation — there are about 14, while in August — approximately 12 days. Given the high summer temperatures, precipitation at this time falls mainly in the form of rain. March also stands out with an increased frequency of precipitation, counting about 9 days with it, although the total amount of moisture falling remains low (1 mm).

For most of the year, with the exception of the summer peak, it is quite dry in Santa Fe. The months with the fewest days with precipitation are April and November, when only about 4 are recorded. In other months (January, February, May, June, September, October, December), an average of 1 mm of precipitation falls, while the number of wet days varies from 5 to 7. In winter, especially in January (average temperature -1.0°C, minimum down to -6.9°C), precipitation most often falls in the form of snow. In February and December, when average temperatures are close to zero (0.5°C and 1.0°C respectively), and minimums drop significantly below zero (down to -5.6°C in February and -4.4°C in December), snowfalls are also quite likely. In transitional months, such as March and November, with minimum temperatures around -1.4°C, both rain and snow are possible.

When planning a trip to Santa Fe, it is important to consider significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and even within a single day. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. Regardless of the season, always take comfortable walking shoes with you, as the city is conducive to walking. Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are also mandatory year-round due to Santa Fe's high-altitude location and intense solar radiation, even on cool days.

In winter (from December to February), it can be quite cold in Santa Fe, with average temperatures hovering around zero, and night temperatures dropping significantly lower. You will need a warm jacket, sweaters, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Summer (from June to August) is warm, with daytime temperatures reaching 27-29°C. For this time of year, light clothing made of natural fabrics, shorts, and T-shirts are suitable. However, evenings can be cool, so a light jacket or cardigan will come in handy. July and August are the months with the highest number of days with precipitation, although their total amount is small, so a compact umbrella or a light waterproof jacket may be useful.

In spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November), the weather is most variable. It can still be cool in March and November, while in May and September it is usually warm during the day. In these transitional seasons, layered clothing is especially relevant: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, a fleece jacket, and a windbreaker or light jacket will allow you to feel comfortable when the temperature changes. The small amount of precipitation throughout the year makes the need for serious rain gear unlikely, but light protection against sudden rain will not hurt, especially in the summer months.