Weather & Climate in Cañones, NM

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

Cañones experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°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 10.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,467 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	51.2°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,467 ft (2,276 m)
Area	4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density	22/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1764°N, 106.4194°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 44 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.1"

74% below US avg

Snowfall 10.5"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.40"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.7 / 100
Community Resilience	9.4 / 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 Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

58 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	141 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	30 km	13 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	137 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	144 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	38 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	32 km	10 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	54 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	137 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	41 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	111 km	6 km
Apr 24, 2005	25 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.4	146 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	143 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2021	2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.3	35 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.2	116 km	5 km
Mar 12, 2011	32 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.2	149 km	5 km
Dec 11, 2009	24 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.2	150 km	5 km
Mar 1, 2021	32 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.1	148 km	5 km
Jan 29, 2008	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.1	149 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2017	17 km S of Mora, New Mexico	M3.1	106 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.0	34 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

23 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	88 km	2.3 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	71 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	51 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	74 km	1.7 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	88 km	0.2 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	55 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	83 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	68 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 13, 2016	EF0	87 km	0.0 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	91 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	71 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	84 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	79 km	3.8 mi	0
May 25, 1999	EF0	59 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 29, 1998	EF0	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1991	EF0	70 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 20, 1990	EF0	97 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1972	EF0	94 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	97 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	34 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	47 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	31 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	91 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	34 km
1996	DOME	15,783	46 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	60 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	12 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	95 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	67 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	73 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	90 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	51 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	60 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	63 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	84 km
1998	OSO	5,297	20 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	35 km
2003	ENCEBADO	5,064	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
April	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	0.9 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.5 in
October	53°F (12°C)	1.1 in
November	40°F (5°C)	0.7 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in

Cañones has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.5").

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