Weather & Climate in Arroyo Seco, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Arroyo Seco 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 7,581 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 | 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
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 | 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 | 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 Seco 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").