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Weather & Climate in Bluewater, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bluewater experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 70°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 12.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,459 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,459 ft (2,274 m) |
| Area | 11.8 sq mi (30.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 20/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3243°N, 108.2060°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | McKinley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 92 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 130 km | 6 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2009 | 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M3.4 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 6, 2011 | 17 km WNW of La Joya, New Mexico | M3.2 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jun 14, 2018 | 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2022 | 7 km SW of Pueblitos, New Mexico | M2.9 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2009 | 17 km SSE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.8 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 28 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 2022 | 4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico | M2.8 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 147 km | 14 km |
| May 14, 2011 | 27 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M2.7 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Nov 28, 2009 | 28 km SE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.7 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Aug 28, 2012 | 10 km WNW of Veguita, New Mexico | M2.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
5 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 68 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1957 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (61 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 61 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 132 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY (15,105 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | CHERRY | 15,105 | 55 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 98 km |
| 2018 | DIENER CANYON | 9,824 | 19 km |
| 2004 | SEDGWICK | 9,241 | 18 km |
| 2019 | TRIPLE NICKLE | 7,819 | 60 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 92 km |
| 2018 | BLUE WATER | 3,663 | 14 km |
| 1989 | COLLAPSE | 3,438 | 61 km |
| 2019 | REDONDO RX | 3,382 | 15 km |
| 1999 | LA JARA | 3,249 | 51 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 99 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 90 km |
| 1989 | MALPAIS | 2,300 | 56 km |
| 2004 | BROADCAST BLOCK 1 | 2,285 | 54 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,983 | 16 km |
| 1989 | HOYA | 1,869 | 50 km |
| 2023 | COPPERTAN RX 23 BLOCK 1 AND 2 | 1,850 | 18 km |
| 2000 | WALL | 1,751 | 55 km |
| 2021 | COPPERTAN RX FY21 | 1,694 | 19 km |
| 2012 | COPPERTON | 1,583 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 49°F (10°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 58°F (15°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | Coldest |
Bluewater has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and June the driest (0.7").