Weather
Santa Fe is situated at 7,000 ft/2,170 m above sea level, making the air thin and very dry. This high-desert climate has four distinct seasons: warm springs, hot summers, crisp falls and tolerably cool winters. Summer temperatures routinely reach the high 80s and low 90s F/low 30s C, with pleasantly warm nights. Rains (locals call them "monsoons") roll in most afternoons in July and August, dump a lot of water and lightning for a few hours, and then clear off. Temperatures slowly come down by October, but fall and winter months are still very pleasant, with temperatures often in the 60s F/15-20 C or even higher. Nights, though, are considerably cooler.
When winter finally hits in late November, Santa Fe might get snow showers, but the snow rarely lasts for more than a few days. Winter nights can be quite cold, in the 20s F/-5 C, while daytime temperatures range 30-50 F/0-20 C. In the surrounding mountains, the snow remains for several months.