Winter is coming, and it's never too early to start mentally preparing ourselves. Winter preparation requires planning, whether that means stocking up on cold-weather gear or buying new chains for our car tires. Of course, it can also be fun to think about winter activities in New Mexico. The gold standard for winter prediction and preparedness is the Farmer's Almanac, which recently released its 2024-2025 winter predictions. The bottom line? It seems like New Mexico is locked in to experience a slightly colder-than-normal season.

The Farmer's Almanac has been used for generations for its authority on long-range weather predictions, and with its recent release, we're ready to embrace all that the upcoming winter season has in store for us.

It's unsurprising to New Mexico locals, but it always seems like a hash awakening: cold weather is coming and winter weather predictions in New Mexico are looking to be quite frigid this year. While most of the country will be experiencing a relatively mild and downright uneventful winter, New Mexico is in for some chilly temperatures.

The Farmer's Almanac organizes the country into different regions or categories, and the majority of our state falls under Desert Southwest, which also includes Arizona and the Las Vegas area. This year, the Desert Southwest will experience colder-than-average temperatures, in part thanks to the expected development of La Niña.

The absolute coldest periods this winter will be mid-November and mid-to-late December and the snowiest times will be in mid-December and early February.

Many parts of New Mexico, especially in the higher elevations, will experience the typical amount of snow, sleet, and ice this winter. For your best bet at seeing precipitation this winter, take a trip to the snowiest town in New Mexico: Red River.

While it's looking likely that the southwest will experience a colder and wetter winter, it's also important to note that these long-range forecasts aren't always accurate. If you're planning a trip, be sure to factor in room for the weather's unpredictable twists and turns! To learn more about the Farmer's Almanac 2024 winter in New Mexico predictions, be sure to visit the Farmer's Almanac website.

Some of us may dread winter, but it's actually a lovely season to take a hike or book a cozy getaway. For fun winter activities, check out some of the best winter hiking trails in New Mexico as well as cabins with hot tubs for a winter getaway. One of my favorite places to stay, Los Poblanos Lavender Farm, makes for an amazing late-winter escape. The lavender may not be in bloom, but you'll get to experience a cozy stay and the best of winter in New Mexico.