Any climate enthusiasts help me out with NM (considering moving)?

[mrgoodwx]

That's a good map...at least, about as good as one can find. The NOAA map is based on observations from numerous sources. NOAA data also feeds the the network of regional climate centers (such as the one in Reno). The data for Faywood is from a cooperative observer. Cooperative observers comprise about 12,000 stations across the U.S. These people are volunteers. Some are better at measuring snowfall than others.

Concerning the accuracy of data for Faywood - When you see whole inches for all monthly totals like that, it typically means the observer doesn't bother with measurements under an inch, and probably doesn't measure to a tenth of an inch. Consequently, Faywood's annual snowfall total is almost certainly a bit higher than shown.

Truth be told, I don't know of a real accurate snowfall climatology for the country, especially with regard to small towns. The bottom line is still the same. There is no place in New Mexico where snow does't occur. But, I agree with the others about the snow. For 27 years, we lived above 6000 feet on the eastern edge of Albuquerque. Our annual snowfall averaged about 25 inches. Yet...it rarely was an issue. Sunshine at high elevation coupled with dry air sublimates and melts the snow in impressive fashion.

[Cactus Hibs]

Originally Posted by American-o

I have my doubts about the data from the Western Regional Climate Center. Take this for example FAYWOOD, NEW MEXICO - Climate Summary, Faywood, NM. Go to "snowfall" and then "monthly totals".
You'll see a string of years with 5"+ of snowfall, and then a string of years with none whatsoever.

That's the nature of southwestern precipitation: there's a lot of year-to-year and month-to-month (even day-to-day) fluctuation so averages may look very different than what's actually happening at a given point in time. In drought years (like most of the last decade), many New Mexico locations can get virtually no snowfall even if their historic average is in the 8-9 inches range...

[BMI]

Originally Posted by mrgoodwx

That's a good map...at least, about as good as one can find. The NOAA map is based on observations from numerous sources. NOAA data also feeds the the network of regional climate centers (such as the one in Reno). The data for Faywood is from a cooperative observer. Cooperative observers comprise about 12,000 stations across the U.S. These people are volunteers. Some are better at measuring snowfall than others.

Concerning the accuracy of data for Faywood - When you see whole inches for all monthly totals like that, it typically means the observer doesn't bother with measurements under an inch, and probably doesn't measure to a tenth of an inch. Consequently, Faywood's annual snowfall total is almost certainly a bit higher than shown.

Truth be told, I don't know of a real accurate snowfall climatology for the country, especially with regard to small towns. The bottom line is still the same. There is no place in New Mexico where snow does't occur. But, I agree with the others about the snow. For 27 years, we lived above 6000 feet on the eastern edge of Albuquerque. Our annual snowfall averaged about 25 inches. Yet...it rarely was an issue. Sunshine at high elevation coupled with dry air sublimates and melts the snow in impressive fashion.

You are correct there is no place in New Mexico where it doesn't snow....but...

there are plenty of places in New Mexico with very little snow....
(source: WRCC /Western Regional Climate Center)

Here is a list of average annual snowfall for places in NM...

Alamogordo 3.5"
Antelope Wells 0.7"
Belen 4.0" (just south of ABQ)
Buckhorn 1.3"
Caballo Dam 0.6"
Carlsbad 3.2"
Columbus 2.2"
Deming 2.7"
Elephant Butte Dam 2.4"
Hatch 2.1"
Jal 3.2"
Lordsburg 3.5"
Orogrande 3.0"
Rodeo 0.7"
State University 3.2" (near Las Cruces)
T or C 2.4"
Tularosa 1.4"

Even Albuquerque ...
Valley 7.0"
Airport 9.6"

Much of lower elevation southern NM receives less than 5" average annual snowfall.
Not enough snow to worry about.
And yes it varies considerably...some years zero ...some years over 10"

[Girldawg1]

Just about anywhere in the south half of the state, south of Albuquerque. Avoid higher elevations greater than 4500. Mountain areas are just more unpredictable, and potentially hazardous driving in the winter. Mountains seem to hold more cloud cover and storms than in the flats in town. Any snow that far south won't stick around for long. Looking at the weather charts and the averages don't give the entire picture. There are micro climates. I'm not a snow affectionado either, and looking for about the same sort of area myself