You’ve probably heard the cliché a thousand times: "If you don't like the weather in New Mexico, just wait five minutes."
Honestly, it’s kinda true. Especially right now in mid-January. People think of Albuquerque as this eternal desert oven, but if you’re looking at the albuquerque 10 day forecast for this week, you’re seeing something much more nuanced. We aren't talking about Phoenix-level heat or Buffalo-level blizzards. It’s a weird, beautiful middle ground.
The Current Situation
Right now, as of Thursday, January 15, 2026, the city is sitting under a pretty aggressive sun. The high today is hitting exactly 58°F. That feels amazing when the sun is hitting your face at 5,000 feet of elevation. But here’s the kicker: the low tonight is dropping to 31°F.
That is a nearly 30-degree swing.
If you leave the house in a t-shirt because it feels like spring at 2:00 PM, you are going to be miserable by dinner time. The humidity is sitting low at 33%, which is classic high-desert behavior. It basically means the air doesn't hold onto heat. Once that sun dips behind the Three Sisters volcanoes, the temperature falls like a rock.
Albuquerque 10 Day Forecast: The Breakdown
If you're planning your week, don't just look at the little sun icons. You’ve gotta look at the wind and the overnight lows. That's where the real story is.
The Immediate Outlook
Friday, January 16, stays fairly consistent with a high of 55°F and a low of 29°F. It’s sunny, but the wind is shifting. We’re looking at northwest winds around 7 mph. It’s a "light jacket" kind of day.
The Weekend Shift
Saturday is where things get interesting. The high drops to 50°F. Not a huge change, right? Wrong. The wind is kicking up to 13 mph from the north. In Albuquerque, a north wind in January feels significantly sharper than a south breeze. The low will hit 26°F. If you’re heading to the Rail Yards Market on Sunday morning, wear the heavy coat. Sunday recovers slightly to 53°F, but those overnight lows are staying firmly at 26°F.
Into Next Week
Monday and Tuesday (Jan 19-20) are basically carbon copies of each other. Highs in the low 50s, lows around 29°F or 30°F. It’s remarkably stable weather for the Duke City.
Wednesday, January 21, actually warms up to 57°F. It’s that "false spring" feeling we get every year. You might even see people out in shorts along the Bosque trails. Don't be fooled.
Is There Any Snow Coming?
Everyone asks this. Honestly, the chances are slim for the city proper over the next week.
- Thursday, Jan 22: High 55°F, partly sunny. Only a 5% chance of day-time rain, but a 10% chance of nighttime snow as the clouds move in.
- Friday, Jan 23: Things get a bit messier. We’re looking at a 15% chance of nighttime snow with a low of 36°F.
- Saturday, Jan 24: The moisture chance peaks at 15% for rain during the day.
Even if it does "snow," it’s usually what we call a "dusting." It looks pretty on the Sandia Mountains, but it’ll likely be gone from your driveway by noon.
The Sandia Factor
One thing the albuquerque 10 day forecast on your phone won't tell you is the "Crest difference."
The data we see is usually pulled from the Sunport (the airport). But Albuquerque is a tilted city. If it's 58°F at the airport, it might be 48°F in the Northeast Heights and 35°F at the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway.
If you're planning to go up the mountain this weekend, subtract at least 20 degrees from whatever your weather app says. The wind chill at 10,678 feet is a whole different beast.
Why the "Dry Cold" Matters
You’ve heard the phrase "it’s a dry heat." Well, the dry cold is just as real.
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Because the air is so thin and dry, you don't get that "bone-chilling" dampness you find in the Midwest or the South. 30°F in Albuquerque is surprisingly manageable if the sun is out. But you’ve gotta stay hydrated. People forget to drink water in the winter here, and that’s how the altitude sickness catches you off guard.
Practical Steps for the Next 10 Days
Layer like a professional. Start with a base layer, add a sweater, and keep a windbreaker or medium-weight puffer in the car. You will use all three of them in a single day.
Sunscreen is not optional. We are closer to the sun here. With UV indices hitting 3 even in January, and the sun reflecting off any light-colored desert sand (or the occasional patch of snow), you'll get burned faster than you think.
Watch your plants. With lows hitting 26°F this weekend, it’s a "hard freeze" for any sensitive outdoor plants. If you’ve got something in a pot that isn't native, bring it inside or cover it up Friday night.
Check your tire pressure. These 30-degree temperature swings are notorious for triggering the "low tire pressure" light in your car. It’s usually just the air contracting in the cold—don't panic, but do check the PSI at a gas station.
The next 10 days in Albuquerque are looking like prime New Mexico winter: bright, crisp, and deceptively cold once the sun goes down. Enjoy those mid-50s while they last. They are the reason we live here.
Next Steps:
- Prepare for a temperature drop of about 8 degrees between Friday and Saturday.
- Plan outdoor activities for Wednesday afternoon when temperatures peak at 57°F.
- Check outdoor pipes and faucets before Saturday night when the low hits 26°F.