Census ZIP Code Tabulation Area

Will ZIP 87111 have a white Christmas?

Snow-on-the-ground odds near Sandia Heights, NM, for December 25, 2026.

The historical picture

The validated 1991–2020 spatial model indicates an estimated 13% chance of at least one inch of snow on the ground at this ZCTA’s Census internal point.

ACS population

57,085

Land area

12.7 sq mi

Nearest station

1 mi

3DEP elevation

5,784 ft

Climate period

1991–2020

This is a Census ZCTA, not a USPS delivery-route boundary. Its internal point is 2 miles from Sandia Heights. The estimate retains all four NOAA source stations and their interpolation weights.

Frequently asked questions

Will ZIP 87111 have a white Christmas?
Its validated 1991–2020 historical estimate is 13%, or about about 1 year in 10. Inside the forecast window, live ensemble guidance is blended with that history.
Is this the exact USPS ZIP boundary?
No. The Census Bureau creates ZIP Code Tabulation Areas to approximate the geography of USPS ZIP Codes. USPS delivery routes can change and do not form a permanent national polygon dataset.