The climate of Gallup
Gallup,
New Mexico, resides within the confines of the BSk Köppen climate classification, known more commonly as a mid-latitude steppe climate. This particular climate typology points toward moderate temperature swings throughout the year, paired with relatively low levels of precipitation. The annual weather cycle in Gallup ranges from extreme highs of 82.4°F (28°C) in
July to extreme lows of 21.7°F (-5.7°C) recorded in
January. This temperature oscillation accompanies a shift in relative humidity, with a high of 70% in January and a minimal value of 23% in
June.
Throughout the year, Gallup Stays relatively dry with the annual highest rainfall of 1.06" (27mm) exhibited in July. Still, significant rainfall can be noted in
August and
September, with 0.94" (24mm) and 0.91" (23mm), respectively. On the other hand, the months of
May and June witness the least rain, with a near-identical accumulation of 0.24" (6mm). Interestingly, while July showcases the most rain, it is not the month with the most rainfall days. This title is claimed by July, with 12.9 days of rainfall.
The wind in Gallup maintains a constant presence throughout the year, with the windiest month in
April, presenting average speeds of 11.2mph (18km/h). Conversely, July experiences the calmest conditions with wind speeds averaging at 7.3mph (11.7km/h). The city's sunshine hours are fairly consistent, ranging from 11.9 hours per day in June to 6.5 hours per day in
December and January. Nevertheless, in terms of sunny days, July suffers a drop to only 14.4 days, in contrast to June, which enjoys 25.1 sunny days.
The best time to visit Gallup
Considering pleasant temperatures, low rainfall, and high sunshine hours, the best months to visit
Gallup are
May and
June. During these months, the city experiences warm temperatures that range from 60.6°F (15.9°C) to 68.9°F (20.5°C). Furthermore, the rainfall during these months is at its annual low, with only 0.24" (6mm) of precipitation. Coupled with excessive sunshine hours reaching up to 11.4 hours per day, visitors are blessed with plenty of opportunities to explore outdoor activities.
The worst time to visit Gallup
Contrarily,
January is the worst time to visit
Gallup due to chilly temperatures and high odds of snowfall. The temperature hovers from 21.7°F (-5.7°C) to 38.7°F (3.7°C), making it the coldest month of the year. Moreover, the city witnesses a relatively high level of snowfall, up to 2.91" (74mm) in January. These cold and snowy conditions can often hinder travel and outdoor activities.
Spring weather in Gallup
Spring in
Gallup brings with it a gradual warming of temperatures from 38.7°F (3.7°C) in
March to 60.6°F (15.9°C) by the end of
May. It also marks the beginning of the city's dry period, with May seeing the annual lowest rainfall of just 0.24" (6mm) over 4.5 days. Despite the low rainfall, the months of
April and May experience the windiest conditions, with average wind speeds reaching 11.2mph (18km/h) and 10.8mph (17.4km/h) mustering gusts of 16.1mph (25.9km/h) and 15.6mph (25.1km/h).
Summer weather in Gallup
During the summer months of
June through
August, the temperature heats up to highs of 82.4°F (28°C) in
July. Humidity also rises in the summer, with July witnessing a relative humidity of 41%. Unexpectedly, despite being one of the hottest months, July sees the most rainfall with 1.06" (27mm), spread over 12.9 days on average. Yet, it is worth noting that June is the month with the longest sunlight exposure - up to 14.5 hours per day.
Autumn weather in Gallup
Throughout the Autumn months of
September,
October, and
November,
Gallup experiences a drop in temperatures, with an average high of 74.7°F (23.7°C) in September to a low of 51.4°F (10.8°C) by November. The Autumn season also brings a reduction in rainfall, from 0.91" (23mm) in September to 0.39" (10mm) in November. Visitors to Gallup during Autumn will benefit from moderate sunshine hours, which decline from 10.8 hours to 7.2 hours per day over the course of the season.
Winter weather in Gallup
During the Winter,
Gallup witnesses considerably colder conditions with temperatures ranging between 22.6°F (-5.2°C) and 38.7°F (3.7°C) in the coldest month,
January. The city also experiences frequent snowfall during the Winter, with the highest measurement of 2.91" (74mm) occurring in January, over 6.3 days. Despite the lower temperatures and harsh conditions, Winter still offers about 6.5 hours of sunshine during its shortest day.
Weather in January
Cold is the operative word for
January in
Gallup,
New Mexico, given that temperatures can drop down to as frigid as 21.7°F (-5.7°C). Additionally, there is also the possibility of witnessing snowfall, as white flakes blanket the city during this month.
Weather in January »Weather in February
The trend of cold weather continues into
February, though there is a slight rise in temperature, the chill in the air certainly does not disappear. The daylight hours increase somewhat, providing a hint of the approaching spring.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March indicates the arrival of spring in
Gallup,
New Mexico, and as a result, the averages dictate an increase in temperatures and decline in snowfall. It is common to experience a positive fluctuation in temperature from 32.9°F (0.5°C) to much warmer.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April brings forth a noticeable change, with temperatures climbing towards the average high of 60.6°F (15.9°C), marking the true advent of spring. The city of
Gallup enters an astoundingly beautiful phase as the area begins to bloom with life.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May is a significant transition month in
Gallup’s weather patterns, as temperatures continue to soar up to 68.9°F (20.5°C), offering warm days. Subsequently, the weather continues to dry up, marking a continuous decrement in rainfall and virtually no snowfall.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June marks the beginning of summer, with
Gallup warming up to a cozy 82°F (27.8°C). High levels of heat coupled with lower precipitation, make this period dryer. Although this might sound unpleasant for some, it’s offset by the fact that June also has the longest daylight hours of the year.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is typically
Gallup’s hottest month, with the temperature possibly reaching a sizzling 82.4°F (28°C). However, this heat is often tempered by the arrival of monsoons, leading to higher rainfall than in previous months. It's a mix of dry heat during the day and sporadic showers, providing an occasional respite to the inhabitants.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August weather carries forward the high temperature, with an average high of around 80.6°F (27°C), from its predecessor, making
Gallup still feel substantially summer-like. Despite this, there is a gradual fall in temperature as August progresses, coupled with reasonably high levels of rainfall.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September showcases a fairly significant drop in temperature, with a high average of around 74.7°F (23.7°C), a sure sign that autumn is near. The daylight hours start decreasing, therefore hinting at the upcoming changes in the climate.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October fully immerses
Gallup in autumn's embrace, with lower temperatures and shorter days. The environment becomes more rejuvenating as temperatures continue to drop, marking it a favorable period for tourists. Though rainfall occurs sparingly, it fails to overshadow the charm of this weather.
Weather in October » Weather in November
While
November is still a fall month in
Gallup, it also denotes the upcoming winter, as temperatures start dropping substantially. Snowfall begins to reappear, painting the city into a winter wonderland as the month progresses.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December marks the arrival of winter in its full force in
Gallup, with the city experiencing temperatures dipping as low as 22.6°F (-5.2°C). Both daylight and sunshine hours reach the low ebb of the year. Consequently, snowfall occurrence surges dramatically, making December the most snowy month.
Weather in December »