Updated October 2026
Valles Caldera National Preserve Weather by Month
Valles Caldera National Preserve is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 74°F and a low of 45°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 36°F and an average low of 9°F. July and August are the wettest months, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation each.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Valles Caldera National Preserve can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
74°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
9°F avg low
Longest days
Jun
14.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Valles Caldera by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F | 9°F | 1.8 in | 9.8 h |
| February | 38°F | 12°F | 2.0 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 45°F | 20°F | 2.4 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 52°F | 25°F | 1.8 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 62°F | 32°F | 1.4 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 72°F | 39°F | 1.2 in | 14.4 h |
| July | 74°F | 45°F | 3.7 in | 14.2 h |
| August | 71°F | 43°F | 3.7 in | 13.4 h |
| September | 66°F | 36°F | 2.2 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 57°F | 26°F | 2.2 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 46°F | 17°F | 1.6 in | 10.1 h |
| December | 36°F | 9°F | 1.8 in | 9.6 h |
| Year total | 25.8 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USW00003062, 4 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Valles Caldera is at that time of year.
Valles Caldera weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs hold near 37°F in all three months, with average lows between 9°F and 12°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 5.6 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 45°F in March to 62°F in May, with average lows between 20°F and 32°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 5.6 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs peak at 74°F in July, between 72°F in June and 71°F in August, with average lows between 39°F and 45°F. Together the three months average 8.6 inches of precipitation, about 33% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 66°F in September to 46°F in November, with average lows between 17°F and 36°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Together the three months average 6 inches of precipitation, about 23% of the yearly total. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Each season offers a different experience: lush springs, moderate summers, golden falls, and snowy winters. Average temperatures are 22°F (-6 C) in January and 60°F (16 C) in July. Temperature extremes range from a high of 84°F (29 C) in summer to -30°F (-34C) in winter. Precipitation is heavier during summer monsoon rains (thunderstorms) in July and August and winter snowstorms in December through March. Higher elevation lends to much cooler temperatures than nearby Albuquerque.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Valles Caldera
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 35.92°N, 106.52°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Valles Caldera National Preserve →
Weather and crowds together
July, the warmest month, sees about 1.5× the visitors of the park's average month. September is the busiest month of the year and February the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Valles Caldera National Preserve. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Valles Caldera.
Where to stay near Valles Caldera
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Top-rated places to stay near Valles Caldera
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Valles Caldera National Preserve, with an average high of 74°F and an average low of 45°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Valles Caldera National Preserve, with an average low of 9°F and an average high of 36°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
July and August are the wettest months, with about 3.7 inches of precipitation each. June is the driest, at about 1.2 inches. The station records about 25.8 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Valles Caldera National Preserve runs from about 9.6 hours a day in December to about 14.4 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USW00003062), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2020–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.