Ponderosa Pine has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 19°, and about 37 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Ponderosa Pine at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Ponderosa Pine’s climate
Read from where Ponderosa Pine sits among New Mexico’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Ponderosa Pine feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
37 inches of snow, 17 of rain and melt
July is the wettest month and May the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 73 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Ponderosa Pine averaged 1.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in March (+3.2°).
A bigger shift than in 92% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 152 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 9 and the first by October 9.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Ponderosa Pine’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
152 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 9 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 9.
About 37" a winter over 12 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 23 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 8 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September. 12 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →How Ponderosa Pine compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New Mexico.
Ponderosa Pine weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 19° | 0.9" | 7.1" | 5 | 7 | 24° – 35° |
| February | 45° | 22° | 1.0" | 6.1" | 4 | 5 | 28° – 38° |
| March | 53° | 26° | 1.1" | 2.6" | 4 | 1 | 36° – 45° |
| April | 60° | 31° | 0.9" | 2.8" | 5 | 1 | 42° – 51° |
| May | 70° | 39° | 0.8" | 1.1" | 5 | 0 | 51° – 60° |
| June | 80° | 48° | 1.0" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 60° – 68° |
| July | 82° | 53° | 3.1" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 64° – 71° |
| August | 79° | 52° | 2.9" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 62° – 69° |
| September | 73° | 46° | 1.7" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 54° – 63° |
| October | 63° | 36° | 1.4" | 1.8" | 5 | 1 | 46° – 54° |
| November | 50° | 26° | 1.1" | 2.9" | 4 | 2 | 31° – 45° |
| December | 41° | 19° | 1.3" | 13.0" | 6 | 7 | 25° – 35° |
| Year | 61° | 35° | 17.2" | 37.4" | 73 | 23 |
Heating and cooling a home in Ponderosa Pine
95% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. November swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 45°. August is the most reliable, staying within 6°.
Common questions about Ponderosa Pine’s climate
What is the coldest month in Ponderosa Pine?
December, with a typical high of 41° and a low of 19°.
What is the hottest month in Ponderosa Pine?
July, with a typical high of 82° and a low of 53°. About 8 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Ponderosa Pine get?
About 37 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Ponderosa Pine?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 9, and the last spring frost by May 9.
What is the rainiest month in Ponderosa Pine?
July, with 3.1 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 17 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Ponderosa Pine.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Ponderosa Pine itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Mountainair 8nw, NM (24 mi, snow) and Sandia Park, NM (17 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.