It might be autumn in the City Different, but it's Christmas in the fields at El Rancho de Las Golondrinas. Green chile typically matures to red at the living history museum and ranch in mid to late September, but warmer weather this fall has extended the season, said curator of agriculture Annie Murchy, explaining the chile plants have continued to flower and produce new fruit. "The field is still full of green chile," she said.
It looks like attendees at the ranch's Santa Fe Harvest Festival will experience "beautiful" weather this weekend, Murchy said. Meteorologists in the National Weather Service's Albuquerque office said Monday the start of October is expected to feel more like the end of August this year. Santa Fe saw a record high of 90 degrees Friday.
Several other cities also had record-breaking temperatures last week amid a "drying trend" in the state. "Precipitation-wise, there's not much to talk about," meteorologist Jennifer Shoemake said. ".
.. Hot and dry is the story.
" Chile is being harvested at Las Golondrinas alongside winter squash, corn and beans. Pumpkins are being cut off the vine to prepare for the 52nd annual harvest fest Saturday and Sunday. Technology has made it easier to anticipate weather — crucial to farming, Murchy said.
But there are still "outliers" and "surprises." She predicted the first frost might come later than usual. Shoemake said above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation are likely to continue next week.
That might .
