Weather & Climate in Capulin, NM

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

Capulin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 15.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.4 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 6,808 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	48.6°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,808 ft (2,075 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density	53/sq mi
Coordinates	36.7465°N, 104.0021°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Colfax County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 95 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 25.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.23"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	58.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	95.1 / 100
Community Resilience	35.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively 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 Low
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

333 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	71 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	77 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	59 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	70 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	77 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	87 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	99 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	81 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	76 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	76 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	74 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	70 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	69 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	93 km	2 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	86 km	4 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	73 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	91 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	88 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	67 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	80 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

96 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 55 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 14, 1977	EF3	100 km	0.1 mi	0
May 29, 1964	EF3	57 km	3.0 mi	1
May 23, 2010	EF2	88 km	22.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1978	EF2	100 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 18, 1965	EF2	95 km	5.1 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF2	89 km	10.8 mi	0
Jun 5, 1961	EF2	90 km	28.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	58 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	52 km	1.4 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF1	94 km	4.2 mi	0
May 15, 2003	EF1	98 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1998	EF1	75 km	3.0 mi	0
May 25, 1996	EF1	98 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	64 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	98 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	59 km	0.5 mi	0
May 15, 1979	EF1	23 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	67 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 1977	EF1	82 km	0.8 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PONIL COMPLEX (89,084 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	93 km
2008	BRIDGER	46,612	93 km
2006	GLADSTONE	44,125	71 km
2011	BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE	36,863	92 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	95 km
2011	TRACK	28,893	45 km
2018	STATELINE	28,533	85 km
2006	CASA	27,452	88 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	92 km
2022	MITCHELL	23,220	98 km
2011	RABBIT EAR	21,569	75 km
2005	GLADSTONE	16,794	41 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	99 km
2006	CLAPHAM	14,696	92 km
2020	CHERRY CANYON	11,823	91 km
1996	FARLEY	10,456	52 km
2006	LEVI	9,491	98 km
2011	CALLIE MARIE	9,393	98 km
2002	FURNISH	8,862	82 km
1996	RABBIT	8,457	72 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in
March	37°F (3°C)	0.7 in
April	44°F (7°C)	0.9 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
June	63°F (17°C)	2.1 in
July	68°F (20°C)	3.2 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	66°F (19°C)	3.0 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.7 in
October	49°F (10°C)	0.8 in
November	37°F (3°C)	0.6 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Capulin has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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