Your nature year
Albuquerque, New Mexicothrough the year
Also for Rio Rancho, NM: the same nearby places.
When do frost, green-up and fall color come to Albuquerque?
The USA-NPN spring index puts first leaf here around Mar 3 and first bloom around Apr 6. Expect about 180 frost-free days in Albuquerque: the last spring frost usually comes around Apr 23, the first fall one around Oct 20, going by NOAA's Rio Grande Nature Ctr station 2.7 miles away.
Within 150 miles we follow 3 places, out to Bosque del Apache Refuge 91 miles to the south. Valles Caldera, 51 miles from Albuquerque, is the nearest fall foliage spot on this site, Sep 1–Nov 30 (local timing). For winter wildlife, the nearest is Bosque del Apache Refuge (91 mi, Oct 20–Jan 31 (local timing)). At some 4,963 feet up, Albuquerque is high enough that seasons run on a mountain clock.
Updated Sep 27. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Best this weekend nearby
- No report yet
Places in their own usual window that weekend; reports are the latest official ones, forecasts from the National Weather Service. 1 more nearby place has only regional or statewide timing, so it isn't listed.
Albuquerque's year at a glance
- Frost possible
- Frost-free, ~Apr 23 to ~Oct 20
- First leaf ~Mar 3
- First bloom ~Apr 6
- Today
Near Albuquerque right now
- First fall frost usually around Oct 20 · last spring frost around Apr 23NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rio Grande Nature Ctr (2.7 mi, 50% dates)~3 weeks
- Valles Caldera · 51 mi · Local timing: Sep 1–Nov 30Fall foliage · in its window now
- Winter wildlife · Bosque del Apache Refuge · 91 miLocal timing: Oct 20–Jan 31~3 weeks
Albuquerque's nature year
- Mar: Spring green-upMar
- Apr: Last spring frostApr
- Fall foliage · Valles CalderaNowSep–Nov
- Oct: First fall frostOct
- Winter wildlife · Bosque del Apache RefugeOct–Jan
Nearby, season by season
Fall foliage
- Valles Caldera · 51 miLocal timing: Sep 1–Nov 30
- Hyde Park Road · 66 miusually Oct 1–7~3 days
Winter wildlife
- Bosque del Apache Refuge · 91 miLocal timing: Oct 20–Jan 31~3 weeks
Frost and green-up
Last spring frost
Apr 23
Average (50% date)
First fall frost
Oct 20
About 180 days without frost between
Spring green-up
Mar 3
First bloom around Apr 6
Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Rio Grande Nature Ctr (2.7 mi from Albuquerque), the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not. Green-up: the USA-NPN Spring Index, 1991–2020 average at the town.
Questions people ask
When is the first frost in Albuquerque?
On average around Oct 20, and the last spring frost around Apr 23: about 180 days without frost between. These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals at Rio Grande Nature Ctr, 2.7 miles away (the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not).
When does spring green-up reach Albuquerque?
The USA-NPN Spring Index puts first leaf around Mar 3 and first bloom around Apr 6, on average for 1991–2020 at the town.
Where can I see fall foliage near Albuquerque?
Valles Caldera, 51 miles (local timing: Sep 1–Nov 30); Hyde Park Road, 66 miles (usually Oct 1–7). Distances are straight-line.
Where can I see winter wildlife near Albuquerque?
Bosque del Apache Refuge, 91 miles (local timing: Oct 20–Jan 31). Distances are straight-line.
How we know
US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)