Ruidoso, NM Climate


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United States / New Mexico / No Metro Area / Lincoln County / Ruidoso / Zip Codes
Ruidoso, New Mexico has a mild mountain climate with cool summers and cold winters. The city is located at an altitude of 6,920 feet which contributes to the cooler temperatures experienced throughout the year. During summer months the average high temperature is around 83 degrees Fahrenheit, while during winter months it can drop to around 38 degrees. Rainfall is fairly consistent year-round, though snowfall is more likely during winter months. In addition, Ruidoso experiences many days of sunshine throughout the year and humidity levels are generally low due to its high elevation.

Ruidoso, New Mexico gets 20 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.

Ruidoso averages 28 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 287 sunny days per year in Ruidoso. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Ruidoso gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 77 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.


Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 82 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 24
Rain: averages 20 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 28 inches of snow a year


Bestplaces Comfort Index

The annual BestPlaces Comfort Index for Ruidoso is 7.7 (10=best), which means it is about average compared to other places in New Mexico.

8.9 Summer - 6.3 Winter
September, August and June are the most pleasant months in Ruidoso, while January and December are the least comfortable months.

  ClimateRuidoso, New MexicoUnited States
  20.3 in.38.1 in.
  28.2 in.27.8 in.
  76.9 days106.2 days
  287 days205 days
  81.5°85.8°
  23.5°21.7°
  7.77
  6.94.3
  6729 ft.2443 ft.
Climate
YOU SHOULD KNOW

Many people confuse weather and climate but they are different. Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere is over long periods of time.

Weather is how the atmosphere is behaving and its effects upon life and human activities. Weather can change from minute-to-minute. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure.

Climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate can mean the average weather for a particular region and time period taken over 30 years. Climate is the average of weather over time.

June is the hottest month for Ruidoso with an average high temperature of 82.5°, which ranks it as one of the coolest places in New Mexico. In Ruidoso, there are 5 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. The most pleasant months of the year for Ruidoso are August, September and May.
In Ruidoso, there are 5.1 days annually when the high temperature is over 90°, which is one of the coolest places in New Mexico.
January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Ruidoso with an average of 23.5°. This is warmer than most places in New Mexico.
In Ruidoso, there are 135.4 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is about average compared to other places in New Mexico.
In Ruidoso, there are 0.5 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below zero°, which is about average compared to other places in New Mexico.
Humidity is low in Ruidoso, and some people might find the dryness to be uncomfortable. Days with noticeable humidity are rare throughout the year. A very dry climate can lead to cracked, itchy skin and dry eyes.
August is the wettest month in Ruidoso with 4.1 inches of rain, and the driest month is April with 0.6 inches. The wettest season is Autumn with 46% of yearly precipitation and 12% occurs in Summer, which is the driest season. The annual rainfall of 20.3 inches in Ruidoso means that it is one of the wettest places in New Mexico.
August is the rainiest month in Ruidoso with 13.3 days of rain, and April is the driest month with only 3.4 rainy days. There are 76.9 rainy days annually in Ruidoso, which is one of the rainiest places in New Mexico. The rainiest season is Autumn when it rains 43% of the time and the driest is Summer with only a 16% chance of a rainy day.
An annual snowfall of 28.2 inches in Ruidoso means that it is snowier than most places in New Mexico. December is the snowiest month in Ruidoso with 7.1 inches of snow, and 7 months of the year have significant snowfall.
Reviews for Ruidoso
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Over 2 years ago

Best place in NM to live , unless you like crowds, traffic, crime, and concrete. Plenty of jobs and min wage is now close to $12/hr. Housing is a little pricey but  More

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Over 2 years ago

I love Ruidoso, or "noisy river". I have always visited but now i live here. Was my first choice if I ever moved. I am so glad I left El Paso, was getting way to big  More

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I’ve lived in this town for nine years and loved it. The weather is by far the best thing about this town. Just don’t be a “rude Texan,“ and you will be fine. Try not to  More

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