Official HIGH TEMPS in ABQ

[trappedinNM]

Don't discount the affect of the airport's proximity to the mouth of the canyon, and the fact that cold air flows downhill. I'm not a meterologist, but it does make sense.

[mrgoodwx]

EnjoyEP...Do you actually know of any properly-sited weather stations that reach 100 degrees 10-20 times a year in Albuquerque? The NWS daily report of max/min temperatures includes the Valley and Foothills stations. The Foothills station (at 6120 elevation) is usually, almost always, 3 to 5 degrees cooler on the max temps. Some local weather buffs have their own equipment and report through private vendors. For those that are sited properly, 100 degree readings average fewer than 5 per year, and, it's fewer than 1 per year at elevations above 6000 feet. Trapped...you're right, cool air flows downhill. In lieu of any weather systems that are generating circulations or winds from various directions, the air will (generally) flow downhill from the late afternoon or evening hours throughout the night...but will reverse direction during the daytime and flow upslope. Unless there is a good reason for afternoon winds to flow downhill through Tijeras Canyon (such as a cold front coming through the gap or thunderstorm outflow from the east side of the mountains), the air won't be flowing downhill across the airport during the afternoon. EnjoyEP...you need to move back to Albuquerque, and let's set up a proper weather station in your yard so you can track the temperatures...

[mrgoodwx]

I just want to add another bit to this discussion. Indeed, if you were to place a thermometer (even in the shade) 4 or 5 feet above the parking lot or asphalt environment we shop in, you would see a lot more 100 degree readings in Albuquerque. Maybe one point that can be made here is that...where people live, work, shop and "live" isn't generally in a "standardized" environment that should even be expected to have temperatures that are compatible with that of a standardized environment (ventilated, shaded, and two meters above natural ground). "Standardized" temperatures are needed for many purposes, but we shouldn't expect those temperatures to represent where we live, work, and play.

[abqsunport]

Nice point senor goodwx! Enjoy some rep points for so many good contributions to the discussion forums!

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by mrgoodwx

EnjoyEP...you need to move back to Albuquerque, and let's set up a proper weather station in your yard so you can track the temperatures...

That sounds good mrgoodwx...I will take you up on that!

I could listen to you talk about ABQ's climate for hours. Perhaps we could set up a webinar here on the forum?! (Just kidding of course, however, I really, really do appreciate reading your info!).

[mysticaltyger]

It may very well be that the Sunport is in a cooler location. Sometimes lower elevation locales are colder than higher ones. They are known as cold air drainage basins. Since cold air is heavier than warm air, it will sink to the lowest place in a valley at night. But the cool nights can sometiems keep the temperature from rising too far in the daytime as well. Southern slopes of mountains tend to be hotter as well, so a weather station in the Sandia foothills that is south facing might be a warm spot even if the elevation is a few hundred feet higher than a weather station on the valley floor.