We are going to Santa Fe and Albuquerque this week and are trying to find a reasonably accurate weather forecast. Unfortunately, when I checked the Weather Channel and Accuweather last night, their forecasted highs for the week were at least five degrees and sometimes as much as nine degrees apart (with Accuweather forecasting the hotter weather).
Which of these sources, or some other one entirely, tends to be relatively reliable?

I use weather.com

www.Intellicast.com
www.weatherunderground.com
www.accuweather.com

Bring layers - right now it's raining and about 70 degrees in Albuquerque.

Lee Ann

I know about these web sites, but thanks for responding. My concern is that there is an awful lot of variation in their forecasts -- as much as nine degrees for the same city and day.
I guess what I'm hoping is that someone from New Mexico can tell me whether one of those sites, or maybe a local newspaper of television station, has a good track record for reasonably accurate forecasts.

It's the WEATHER for God's sake. Most meterologists have access to the same data and make their best guess, excuse me, predictions. Do you have a "reasonably accurate weather" forecaster in YOUR area that you consider to be "relatively reliable"?

It's WEATHER! The only accurate weather report I know is 10 minutes AFTER the fact.

I have been in Santa Fe/ Alb. many, many times at all different times of the year and can't imagine 5 to 9 degrees in either direction severely impacting my travel plans. Take a jacket on or off. Put the umbrella up or down. What exactly are you planning to do that 5 to 9 degrees will matter?

Here is a link to a local tv station that covers both ABQ and SF.

http://www.kobtv.com/

Also, the newpaper in ABQ is linked to this site --

http://www.wunderground.com/auto/jou...buquerque.html

And has been stated in earlier replies...all the weather reports get their data from the same sources. I wouldn't worry about a 5 degree or even 9 degree variance.

The weather in high desert varies greatly. If the sun is out, it will be warm. Days starts cool and nights are cool too.

As Lee Ann said, dress in layers. And if you are concerned about rain...carry an umbrella.

Hope this helps...
Debi

My sister is a meteorologist and says they can only guess (it's educated, however)for anything after the next 24-48 hours. She also swears by the National Weather service site is the most accurate of all of them. Here's the link:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/forecast/Map...te=NM&site=ABQ

Starrsville, Why so nasty in your reply?
I would find this offensive, why bother responding if such a negative take on an innocent question?
Replies like yours is one reason I stopped posting here as have no stomache to have someone rip off my head and bark down my neck! Just a thought! Lighten up! LO

Oh please don't stop posting here, LeoraO - you sound like you have a lot of spunk!

I agree, LeoraO, and would like to hear more about Madrid.

mscarls, hope you enjoyed a great trip!

Leora, I'm sorry you were offended, but it IS the weather! What possible difference does 5 to 9 degrees (what the OP is concerned about) make on a trip? She's going to the high desert. There's going to be a 5 to 9 degree variation on virtually every day of the year in that part of the country.

In the last 24 hours, I drove 6 hours and changed a few hundred degrees in elevation. The temperature difference has been 22 degrees in that 24 hours. I wore the same clothes - just put on a sweater when it got chilly.

I don't understand how a prediction of temperature that ranges from 5 to 9 degrees can be considered relatively unreliable. Do you? If so, perhaps you can help me understand what I'm missing with the OP's posts.

Have you ever packed for a trip where 5 to 9 degrees significantly impacted your plans or packing? If so, please share.

Hawaii. Ireland. France. Costa Rica. SW USA. An hour in SF any day of the year. 5 to 9 degrees variation is "normal" - as far as my experiences go.

I must be missing something here...

PS - I was the second poster with an answer to her question. Travelina and Lee Ann weighed in as well. The OP came back with "My concern is that there is an awful lot of variation in their forecasts -- as much as nine degrees for the same city and day." Thus, a slightly more frustrated response. If that reads nasty to you, again my apologies.

mscarls, very few, if any, private entities have the supercomputers that the National Weather Service has in Greenbelt, Maryland. They cost megamillions of dollars. The NWS uses historical models (computer models) and plug in their current observations. The computer compares what is with what has been and says to itself, "Well, the last time these conditions existed, such-and-such happened, so expect this:....." Then, they plug in what actually happened and compare it to the model in order to perfect the model. It is a continual process of improvement.

With very few exceptions, all of the sources you quote get their basic information from the NWS and put their own spin on it...heaven forefend if Channel 5 has the same forecast as Channel 7 in the same city! Because these local sources, with their high-tech "weather centers" cannot even come close to the NWS in knowledge, assets, or experience, I would put my money on the NWS and ignore the rest.

The weather is and is going to be great! Don't worry...just know that you will have a terrific time!

Debi

oh duh! This is an old post ...OP is already home!

Sorry...
Debi

Yes, Debi, but we're getting ready to leave for Santa Fe Tuesday so good to know!

Starrsville, while you may have been laughing and smiling the whole time you wrote your original post on this thread, it came across (at least to me) as if you were condescendly yelling at the OP.

It's always hard to understand someone's emotions from written text, but sometimes when people use CAPS and exclamation points (and not in an overly happy or excited way), it tends to make people feel as if they're being scolded or yelled at. (No one wants or needs that!)

And just to be clear, I am not yelling or scolding you - only trying to explain. Look - I'm smiling!

Hey AnnMarie_C - have any room for me in your luggage?? Enjoy my favorite place!

Always, t_a! What is your favorite place? We haven't been there in seven years and can't wait to return.

AMC - The whole area is my favorite place!

It seems every time I've been there, I have met the most interesting people, viewed the most amazing scenery & artwork, ate incredibly yummy food, and came back with some great adventure stories. No bad memories whatsoever. Maybe I just got lucky...

Wherever you go & whatever you do - enjoy!