Honestly, if you’ve lived in Albuquerque for more than a week, you know the drill. You walk out the door at 7:00 AM shivering in a parka, wondering if the Rio Grande has finally frozen over. By lunch? You’re carrying that parka like a heavy, nylon mistake while the high-desert sun tries to trick you into thinking it's actually April.
That’s the thing about the weather forecast for Albuquerque right now. It’s a mess of contradictions.
The Deep Freeze and the High Noon
Today, Friday, January 16, 2026, is a perfect example of our high-altitude mood swings. We’re looking at a high of 56°F. That sounds balmy, right? Almost pleasant. But don't let the sunshine fool you. The low is bottoming out at 27°F.
That's nearly a 30-degree swing.
It’s the kind of day where the northwest wind at 11 mph makes the shade feel like a refrigerator, but the moment you step into the sun, you're fine. Humidity is sitting low at 34%, so it's that classic "dry cold" that doesn't bite quite as hard as a Midwestern damp chill, but still manages to crack your knuckles if you forget the lotion.
What’s Coming This Weekend?
If you have plans for Saturday, keep the layers handy. The temperature is taking a bit of a dip. We’re looking at a high of 47°F and a low of 26°F. It’ll be sunny, but that north wind at 10 mph is going to keep things crisp.
The real story for the rest of the week is how remarkably dry we are.
While there’s a tiny 10% chance of some light snow late tonight and again on Sunday night, don't go looking for your sled. It’s mostly just "clutter" in the atmosphere. The National Weather Service out of the Albuquerque office has been tracking this La Niña pattern, and frankly, it’s living up to its reputation for keeping the Southwest pretty parched.
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Monday and Tuesday (January 19-20) look like carbon copies of each other:
- Monday: Partly sunny, high of 51°F, low of 29°F.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny, high of 49°F, low of 29°F.
The Big Picture: Why is it so dry?
We’re currently in a La Niña Advisory phase. For Albuquerque, that usually means the storm track stays way up north, leaving us with beautiful, clear, blue skies—and a mounting concern for our spring runoff. Most of the Intermountain West, including New Mexico, just came off the warmest December on record.
It’s weird to think about, but even when it feels "cold" to us, the regional averages are trending high.
There’s a 75% chance we’ll transition to "ENSO-neutral" conditions by the time March rolls around. What does that mean for your weekend? Not much. But for the farmers in the valley and the skiers up at Sandia Peak, it means we’re desperately hoping for a late-season "March Miracle" to make up for the lack of snowpack.
Real Talk: Surviving the Forecast
If you’re out and about in the Duke City this week, remember that the UV index is still hitting a 3 most days. At 5,000 feet, that sun is stronger than you think, even when the air is chilly.
- Hydrate like it's your job. The 34% humidity will suck the moisture out of you before you notice.
- The "Tijeras Leak." Watch out for those east winds. Sometimes the cold air from the plains "leaks" through the canyon and makes the heights much colder than the valley.
- Check your pipes. We’re hitting those mid-20s every night. If you haven't insulated your outdoor spigots yet, now's the time.
Looking further out toward the end of next week, we might see a slight warm-up back into the mid-50s by Friday, January 23. It’s typical Albuquerque: a little bit of winter, a lot of sun, and just enough wind to keep you guessing.
Next Steps for You:
Check your vehicle's tire pressure today. Those 30-degree temperature swings between day and night cause air to contract, which often triggers that annoying "low tire" light on your dashboard during the morning commute.