Weather & Climate in Arroyo Seco, NM

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

Arroyo Seco has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 66°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 13.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 61.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,581 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	45.1°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,581 ft (2,311 m)
Area	6.8 sq mi (17.7 km²)
Population Density	308/sq mi
Coordinates	36.5215°N, 105.5861°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.4"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 61.5"

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.98"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

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	99 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	82 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	108 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	110 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	86 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	75 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	58 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	105 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	109 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	74 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	132 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	83 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	99 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	108 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	88 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	77 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	84 km	2 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	86 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	77 km	4 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	105 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

42 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	90 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	60 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	86 km	0.5 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	76 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	87 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	81 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	86 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	71 km	1.8 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	87 km	3.5 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	90 km	0.6 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	44 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	27 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	96 km	2.8 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	94 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	90 km	1.4 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	99 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	36 km	0.1 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	76 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	51 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	61 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	95 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	50 km
2006	CASA	27,452	63 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	77 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	91 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	62 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	65 km
1993	OJO	14,887	68 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	68 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	62 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	90 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	38 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	78 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	70 km
2006	LEVI	9,491	91 km
2018	EMILY	8,342	86 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	13 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	1.0 in	Coldest, Driest
February	25°F (-4°C)	1.1 in
March	31°F (-0°C)	1.7 in
April	38°F (3°C)	1.3 in
May	47°F (8°C)	1.5 in
June	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
July	66°F (19°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	60°F (15°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
September	54°F (12°C)	1.8 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.5 in
November	33°F (0°C)	1.3 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	1.1 in

Arroyo Seco has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (1.0").

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