Weather & Climate in Albuquerque, NM

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Albuquerque enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 61 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 27% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 4,967 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average37°F (3°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Geography

Elevation4,967 ft (1,514 m)
Area189.6 sq mi (490.9 km²)
Population Density3,004/sq mi
Coordinates35.1048°N, 106.6468°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyBernalillo County County
Nearest AirportAlbuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"
77% below US avg
Snowfall 7.9"
Wettest Month (Jul) 1.64"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.36"

Air Quality

AQI Median61.0
RatingModerate
Good Days %27.3%
Unhealthy Days30

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score94.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability43.6 / 100
Community Resilience41.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Very High
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

97 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.

Jan 29, 1990 6 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico M4.5 74 km 12 km
Nov 8, 1990 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M4.4 75 km 6 km
Jul 12, 2021 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M4.2 125 km 13 km
Jan 31, 1990 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M4.0 76 km 10 km
Feb 27, 1990 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico M3.9 128 km 5 km
May 18, 2023 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico M3.8 88 km 5 km
Jul 22, 1990 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico M3.7 66 km 10 km
Jul 12, 2021 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M3.7 126 km 10 km
Nov 15, 1990 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.6 75 km 7 km
Feb 21, 1990 31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico M3.6 122 km 5 km
May 5, 1990 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.6 76 km 7 km
Jan 4, 1998 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.6 74 km 5 km
Sep 29, 2012 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico M3.5 50 km 5 km
Oct 20, 2016 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico M3.5 70 km 5 km
Oct 17, 2011 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico M3.5 103 km 5 km
Dec 31, 1997 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.5 77 km 5 km
May 1, 2025 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico M3.5 90 km 13 km
May 24, 2004 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.5 75 km 5 km
Sep 10, 2024 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico M3.5 18 km 6 km
Dec 31, 1997 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.5 78 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

64 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 27, 1975 EF2 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 10, 1974 EF2 39 km 2.0 mi 1
Jun 8, 1989 EF1 68 km 5.0 mi 0
Sep 13, 1988 EF1 20 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 15, 1971 EF1 86 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 5, 1966 EF1 46 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 1965 EF1 10 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 20, 1956 EF1 41 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 23, 2021 EF0 23 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 2021 EF0 58 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 2021 EF0 90 km 0.9 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 55 km 1.7 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 36 km 0.0 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 88 km 0.7 mi 0
Aug 15, 2020 EF0 14 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 15, 2020 EF0 66 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 3, 2018 EF0 93 km 2.6 mi 0
Jun 3, 2018 EF0 92 km 2.4 mi 0
May 21, 2018 EF0 72 km 3.8 mi 0
Sep 30, 2017 EF0 52 km 2.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (128 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic field 2,550 m (8,366 ft) -1170 128 km
Carrizozo Pyroclastic cone(s) 1,731 m (5,679 ft) -3250 161 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAS CONCHAS (150,874 acres, 2011).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2011 LAS CONCHAS 150,874 88 km
2022 CERRO PELADO 45,620 74 km
2000 CERRO GRANDE 44,279 94 km
2013 THOMPSON RIDGE 21,077 88 km
2016 DOG HEAD 19,816 42 km
1996 DOME 15,783 77 km
2008 TRIGO 13,855 52 km
2009 BLACK BUTTE 8,124 81 km
2019 TRIPLE NICKLE 7,819 85 km
2007 OJO PEAK 6,118 61 km
2008 UNNAMED 5,083 61 km
2008 BIG SPRING 5,050 46 km
2017 NMSER FY17 RX #1 4,817 81 km
2014 PINO 4,415 71 km
2008 LADRONE RX 4,406 83 km
2002 LAKES 4,306 86 km
2002 MIDDLE TANK 4,279 81 km
2019 NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND 4,261 82 km
2018 VENADO 4,007 77 km
1999 LA JARA 3,249 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 37°F (3°C) 0.4 in Driest
February 42°F (6°C) 0.4 in
March 50°F (10°C) 0.5 in
April 57°F (14°C) 0.5 in
May 66°F (19°C) 0.4 in
June 76°F (25°C) 0.6 in
July 79°F (26°C) 1.6 in Warmest, Wettest
August 77°F (25°C) 1.3 in
September 70°F (21°C) 1.2 in
October 58°F (15°C) 0.9 in
November 46°F (8°C) 0.6 in
December 37°F (3°C) 0.5 in Coldest

Albuquerque has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 37°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 8.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (1.6") and January the driest (0.4").

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