Maybe an Ideal Climate
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12/24/2007
Alamogordo is a city of about 35,000+ in South-Central New Mexico. We're located against the Western flanks of the Sacramento Mountain Range. About 15 miles West is the White Sands National Monument, a unique place in all the Earth, in which crystalline gypsum sands form when the mineral-laden waters wash down from the San Andres Mountains to the West, and pool in "playas" (natural depressions). As the playas dry, the mineral waters form crystals which are then broken up through the action of weather and collect and drift as "sand" dunes across the floor of the Tularosa Basin. Unlike true sand, the White Sands are formed primarily of gypsum, rather than silica. The color is truly WHITE, very like snow in its appearance.
About 60 miles and one hour West is the city of Las Cruces, the largest city in Southern New Mexico. 85 miles and 1-1/2 hours South is El Paso, Texas, the closest big city to Alamogordo. Albuquerque, NM is about 3-1/2 hours North, and is the largest city in New Mexico. The state capital of Santa Fe is about 45 miles north of Albuquerque. Ruidoso, a tourist mecca offering famous quarter horse racing and skiing options, is about one hour Northeast, with a lovely scenic drive through the mountains. Cloudcroft is about 25 minutes Northeast, and at about 8500 feet elevation, is an intriguing, small historic mountain town which was formed in the late 1800s from mining and timber camps.
Alamogordo is in the Tularosa Basin, which is a "high desert" environment (the city is around 4500 feet above sea level). The air has a low humidity, rarely above 40%, and the temperatures are generally moderate in range; summers rarely above 100°F, and winters rarely below 25°F. In Spring, there is our "windy" season, which may bring "white sands" dust across the area. This usually lasts roughly from April to June. Desert plants thrive, and form the basis for most landscaping designs in the area. Annual rainfall in the area is 12 to 15 inches, on average.
All in all, one of the most pleasant places, climate wise, I've ever lived in.
William | Alamogordo, NM