Autumn in Albuquerque is extremely comfortable.
After a few months of hot summer temperatures, it’s nice to finally get a break and experience pleasant weather before it drops below freezing at night.
There are a number of autumn traditions within the desert valley city. Towards the end of autumn there are the Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations that coincide with Halloween and last for days or weeks into November. The Day of the Dead is a holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of the deceased. Although Dia De Los Muertos was founded in Mexico, it is also celebrated in communities with a strong Mexican heritage like Albuquerque, San Diego, and El Paso to name a few. But before Dia De Los Muertos, Albuquerque hosts one of its most famous and popular attractions—the International Balloon Fiesta. For nine straight days in October there are hundreds of hot air balloons littering the sky. There are also opportunities to ride in one of the balloons, but it’s hard if you’re sensitive to cold temperatures like I am. It’s still a few weeks out and our weather is getting cold enough in Albuquerque to need the central heater throughout the day and night. I have friends who recently purchased a heat pump, but I’m still on the fence. It would replace both my air conditioner and furnace, but my a/c is only nine years old at this point. Should I replace my HVAC system this early on? It’s honestly a question that I keep asking myself without getting any closer to an answer.