Weather & Climate in Alcalde, NM

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

Alcalde experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 330 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,692 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	50.4°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,692 ft (1,735 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	456/sq mi
Coordinates	36.0854°N, 106.0575°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"

71% below US avg

Snowfall 10.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.09"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.7 / 100
Community Resilience	9.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

224 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	145 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	138 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	122 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	64 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	135 km	5 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	147 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	141 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	149 km	2 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	148 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	141 km	4 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	113 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	140 km	5 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	141 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2015	25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.8	148 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	132 km	5 km
Jan 7, 2015	27 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.7	146 km	4 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	66 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	139 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2017	14 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.7	145 km	5 km
Nov 20, 2009	29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.7	131 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

38 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	49 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	25 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	78 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	85 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	78 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	67 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	99 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	85 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	49 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	79 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	49 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	62 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	52 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2009	EF0	99 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	60 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	72 km	3.8 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HERMITS PEAK (352,046 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	HERMITS PEAK	352,046	63 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	41 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	100 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	54 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	31 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	60 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	50 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	83 km
1996	DOME	15,783	46 km
1993	OJO	14,887	89 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	92 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	26 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	32 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	65 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	35 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	40 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	75 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	56 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	58 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	31 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	35°F (2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	42°F (6°C)	0.5 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.5 in
May	57°F (14°C)	0.8 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
September	66°F (19°C)	1.4 in
October	54°F (12°C)	0.9 in
November	42°F (5°C)	0.6 in
December	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in

Alcalde has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.4").

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