Albuquerque Burns: Hottest Year Ever Recorded

Albuquerque experienced its hottest year on record in 2025, with an average temperature reaching 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This significantly exceeded the climate normal and surpassed previous record years like 2024 and 2017, which both averaged 60 degrees. The heat was accompanied by a flurry of record-breaking days, with 16 daytime and 19 nighttime temperature records shattered throughout the year, many occurring during an unusually warm December.

Beyond the extreme heat, 2025 brought a severe lack of precipitation, with only 6.5 inches recorded, well below the typical nearly 9 inches. This dryness, coupled with high winds, created a dusty spring and impacted natural water sources. Notably, the Rio Grande in Albuquerque ran dry for the second time in over 40 years during July, a stark indicator of the persistent drought conditions affecting the region.

The consequences of this lack of snowmelt and precipitation extend to local ecosystems and recreation. Ski resorts like Ski Santa Fe relied heavily on snowmaking technology to accommodate visitors. The diminished water flow impacts streams and rivers, with the reduced snowpack in northern mountains directly affecting water levels in the vital Rio Grande, impacting the broader New Mexico environment.