Weather & Climate in Carnuel, NM

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

Carnuel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°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 14.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.7 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 5,812 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.3°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,812 ft (1,771 m)
Area	5.4 sq mi (14.1 km²)
Population Density	158/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0612°N, 106.4572°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.9"

61% below US avg

Snowfall 23.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.72"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	43.6 / 100
Community Resilience	41.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

97 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	77 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	77 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	132 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	78 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	124 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	106 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	133 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	48 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	62 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	78 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	117 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	77 km	7 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	88 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	34 km	6 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	78 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	63 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	65 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	94 km	13 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	98 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	54 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

69 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	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	56 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	51 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	27 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	79 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	99 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	47 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	26 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	29 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	46 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	87 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	38 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	53 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	81 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	31 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	66 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	79 km	2.6 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	71 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	67 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (144 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	144 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	150 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAS CONCHAS (150,874 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	90 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	78 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	95 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	93 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	27 km
1996	DOME	15,783	79 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	42 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	80 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	52 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	52 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	34 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	78 km
2014	PINO	4,415	77 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	89 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	94 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	77 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	79 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	87 km
2017	BULLDOG	2,807	99 km
2018	EAST ROWE MESA RX BP	2,734	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
February	36°F (2°C)	1.1 in
March	42°F (5°C)	1.2 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.9 in	Driest
May	58°F (14°C)	1.0 in
June	68°F (20°C)	1.0 in
July	76°F (24°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
September	63°F (17°C)	1.8 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.5 in
November	40°F (5°C)	1.0 in
December	33°F (1°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Carnuel has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and April the driest (0.9").

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