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Weather & Climate in Belen, NM

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

Belen enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°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 9.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,068 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average56.1°F
4% above US avg
January Average35°F (2°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation5,068 ft (1,545 m)
Area8.3 sq mi (21.5 km²)
Population Density390/sq mi
Coordinates34.7666°N, 106.8085°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyValencia County County
Nearest AirportAlbuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.2"
76% below US avg
Snowfall 5.1"
Wettest Month (Aug) 1.85"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score82.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability64.2 / 100
Community Resilience3.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

84 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 34 km 12 km
Nov 8, 1990 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M4.4 36 km 6 km
Jan 31, 1990 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M4.0 36 km 10 km
Feb 27, 1990 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico M3.9 93 km 5 km
May 18, 2023 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico M3.8 96 km 5 km
Jul 22, 1990 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico M3.7 74 km 10 km
Jan 4, 1998 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.6 61 km 5 km
May 5, 1990 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.6 36 km 7 km
Nov 15, 1990 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.6 35 km 7 km
Feb 21, 1990 31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico M3.6 87 km 5 km
Dec 31, 1997 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.5 65 km 5 km
Oct 17, 2011 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico M3.5 143 km 5 km
Jun 20, 1991 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico M3.5 131 km 0 km
May 24, 2004 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico M3.5 35 km 5 km
May 1, 2025 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico M3.5 50 km 13 km
Dec 31, 1997 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico M3.5 65 km 5 km
Sep 10, 2024 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico M3.5 51 km 6 km
Sep 29, 2012 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico M3.5 10 km 5 km
Oct 20, 2016 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico M3.5 75 km 5 km
Sep 23, 2009 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico M3.4 99 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

57 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 11 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 10, 1974 EF2 46 km 2.0 mi 1
May 13, 2012 EF1 86 km 1.2 mi 0
Jun 8, 1989 EF1 90 km 5.0 mi 0
Sep 13, 1988 EF1 61 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 5, 1966 EF1 10 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 1965 EF1 51 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 20, 1956 EF1 71 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 2, 1950 EF1 82 km 7.9 mi 0
Jul 23, 2021 EF0 63 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 2021 EF0 92 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 2021 EF0 55 km 0.9 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 57 km 0.7 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 95 km 1.7 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 10 km 0.0 mi 0
Aug 15, 2020 EF0 49 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 15, 2020 EF0 30 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 3, 2018 EF0 80 km 2.6 mi 0
Jun 3, 2018 EF0 77 km 2.4 mi 0
Sep 30, 2017 EF0 41 km 2.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (109 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Zuni-Bandera Volcanic field 2,550 m (8,366 ft) -1170 109 km
Carrizozo Pyroclastic cone(s) 1,731 m (5,679 ft) -3250 136 km
Red Hill Volcanic field 2,300 m (7,546 ft) -9450 194 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DOG HEAD (19,816 acres, 2016).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2016 DOG HEAD 19,816 47 km
2009 EAST MAGDALENA RX 15,626 93 km
2008 TRIGO 13,855 40 km
2009 BLACK BUTTE 8,124 45 km
2019 TRIPLE NICKLE 7,819 92 km
2007 OJO PEAK 6,118 41 km
2008 UNNAMED 5,083 41 km
2008 BIG SPRING 5,050 41 km
2017 NMSER FY17 RX #1 4,817 46 km
2008 LADRONE RX 4,406 44 km
2002 MIDDLE TANK 4,279 46 km
2019 NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND 4,261 46 km
1999 LA JARA 3,249 96 km
2008 HWY 380 2,913 96 km
1989 UNNAMED 2,632 70 km
2003 SANFRANCISCO 2,292 39 km
2007 DOUBLE EAGLE 2,281 47 km
2011 SEVILLETA 2,094 36 km
2001 DEEP WELL 1,608 49 km
2017 ENCINO 1,501 66 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 35°F (2°C) 0.4 in Coldest
February 41°F (5°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 47°F (8°C) 0.5 in
April 54°F (12°C) 0.4 in
May 62°F (17°C) 0.6 in
June 71°F (22°C) 0.5 in
July 78°F (25°C) 1.4 in Warmest
August 74°F (23°C) 1.9 in Wettest
September 67°F (20°C) 1.3 in
October 56°F (13°C) 1.1 in
November 44°F (7°C) 0.6 in
December 35°F (2°C) 0.5 in

Belen has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 35°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.4").

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