Hi,
We are going to Las Cruces and Santa Fe in a few weeks. I have been checking the weather , seems there has been A LOT of rain and storms. Is this typical this time of year?
Thanks!

yes, this is monsoon season here in SW. It is when we get the majority of our rain. IT tends to be heavy, late day rains, but this year summer has been unusually wet with longer rains. We really need it.
Deb

thanks, how long does monsoon season last? I understand you need the rain, just hope it takes a break during our trip!

If you'll be here in September, you should be fine. As Deb said, if it rains it will be in the mid-to-late afternoon. Usually the heavy rain only lasts 20-30 minutes. Just bring an umbrella and have a great time!

Lee Ann

The season starts in July and goes through August in most in NM. Southern New Mexico usually dissipating more slowly -- during mid September.

The thing is that once it stops raining, the air is cool, fresh and clean. It is not muggy after rain, like it is in MidWest, Eastern and SE United States.

Be prepared, carry an umbrella if you are concerned. If you are going to be out hiking, go first thing in morning, especially if you are going into the mountains. Be off by 1 pm and carry rain gear.

You DO NOT want to get caught on a mountain or trail during thunder, lightening and possible flash floods.

In Santa Fe, they come around 3pm and will end within a fairly short time.

Be careful of streams and arroyos as they can have flash floods. Even streets can be come flooded with a heavy rain.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/abq/climate/.../July/nams.htm

For some ideas for Santa Fe:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35150297

Deb

Thanks for the great tips and info!

If you look at the maps in USA Today it always shows Santa Fe having rain.

But...

Most of it falls in the mountains. I live here, and we really haven't had much ACTUAL rain in the past three weeks (but they've had quite a bit up in the mountains).

What we DO get, though...are spectacular night lightning displays. And we've been getting some thunder, too. I dunno if it's because we're at 7,000 feet, but I've never heard thunder as LOUD as I've been hearing!

But as a previous poster mentioned, when the city-limits DO get rain, it'll only last for 10 minutes or so before quickly passing thru. Sometimes it'll be an intense 10-minutes, but it'll pass.

And like a previous poster mentioned, afterwards...the smell of the clean air is just awesome!

Bring an umbrella and a light raincoat, and you'll be fine.