Weather & Climate in Arroyo Hondo CDP (Taos County), NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Arroyo Hondo CDP (Taos County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 16 / among the cleanest air in the country. 97% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 6,805 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.5°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,805 ft (2,074 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 120/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.5346°N, 105.6666°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Taos County County |
| Nearest Airport | Taos Regional (TSM) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 16.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 97.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 89.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.1 / 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 High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
358 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 6 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M5.3 | 104 km | 4 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km S of Weston, Colorado | M5.0 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado | M4.7 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.5 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2007 | 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2004 | 30 km S of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado | M4.3 | 109 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 103 km | 13 km |
| Jul 29, 2009 | 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico | M4.1 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2023 | Colorado | M4.1 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado | M4.1 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M4.0 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Sep 4, 2001 | 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.0 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M4.0 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 82 km | 4 km |
| Feb 6, 2016 | Colorado | M4.0 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Sep 16, 2011 | 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 18 km SSW of Weston, CO | M3.9 | 82 km | 4 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 109 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 48 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1964 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 1996 | EF2 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1953 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1992 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1980 | EF1 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 90 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 76 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2021 | EF0 | 83 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2021 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2021 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2018 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2018 | EF0 | 34 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF0 | 97 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF0 | 29 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2007 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2006 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2006 | EF0 | 93 km | 5.0 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 | 79 km |
| 2002 | PONIL COMPLEX | 89,084 | 58 km |
| 2022 | COOKS PEAK | 61,195 | 68 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UTE PARK | 30,177 | 57 km |
| 2006 | CASA | 27,452 | 70 km |
| 2002 | SPRING | 24,044 | 81 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 93 km |
| 2006 | OJO FELIZ | 17,767 | 68 km |
| 2006 | RIVERA MESA | 16,412 | 72 km |
| 1993 | OJO | 14,887 | 74 km |
| 2002 | CERRO PELON | 13,015 | 74 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 62 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 85 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 44 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 78 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 71 km |
| 2006 | LEVI | 9,491 | 98 km |
| 2018 | EMILY | 8,342 | 93 km |
| 1996 | HONDO | 8,258 | 14 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in |
Arroyo Hondo CDP (Taos County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.8") and February the driest (0.5").