Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 26 minutes ago
Living at nearly 7,200 feet above sea level provides Santa Fe with atmospheric conditions that are ideal for dramatic cloud formations and excellent visibility for timelapse work. Our high altitude means we're often above the haze and pollution that can obscure visibility in lower elevation areas. The thin, dry air provides exceptional clarity that allows cameras to capture crisp details in cloud formations even at great distances.
The seasonal weather patterns that affect northern New Mexico also contribute to our spectacular skies. Late summer, when this particular video was captured, is characterized by what locals call the "monsoon season," though our version is quite different from the true monsoons experienced in other parts of the world. During this period, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California can create afternoon thunderstorms and fascinating cloud formations as different air masses interact over our high desert landscape.
The contrast between our typically clear morning skies and the afternoon buildup of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds provides endless opportunities for dramatic timelapse sequences. Many of my most successful cloud formation timelapse videos have been captured during this transitional period when the atmosphere is actively changing throughout the day.
nmosg.com
Living at nearly 7,200 feet above sea level provides Santa Fe with atmospheric conditions that are ideal for dramatic cloud formations and excellent visibility for timelapse work. Our high altitude means we're often above the haze and pollution that can obscure visibility in lower elevation areas. The thin, dry air provides exceptional clarity that allows cameras to capture crisp details in cloud formations even at great distances.
The seasonal weather patterns that affect northern New Mexico also contribute to our spectacular skies. Late summer, when this particular video was captured, is characterized by what locals call the "monsoon season," though our version is quite different from the true monsoons experienced in other parts of the world. During this period, moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf of California can create afternoon thunderstorms and fascinating cloud formations as different air masses interact over our high desert landscape.
The contrast between our typically clear morning skies and the afternoon buildup of cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds provides endless opportunities for dramatic timelapse sequences. Many of my most successful cloud formation timelapse videos have been captured during this transitional period when the atmosphere is actively changing throughout the day.
nmosg.com
