Weather & Climate in Cedar Crest, NM

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

Cedar Crest 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 6,921 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	6,921 ft (2,110 m)
Area	3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
Population Density	238/sq mi
Coordinates	35.1147°N, 106.3801°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 14 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

96 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	86 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	86 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	128 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	86 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	131 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	111 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	129 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	46 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	85 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	123 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	87 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	65 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	63 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	103 km	13 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	94 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	38 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	68 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	90 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	86 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	66 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

72 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	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	63 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	44 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	26 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	70 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	91 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	56 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	18 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	28 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	37 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	94 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	88 km	0.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	47 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	45 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	35 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	74 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	82 km	2.6 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	64 km	3.8 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (152 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	152 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	154 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	84 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	73 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	88 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	97 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	88 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	30 km
1996	DOME	15,783	72 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	48 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	97 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	88 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	95 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	98 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	58 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	94 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	58 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	39 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	85 km
2014	PINO	4,415	72 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	98 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	90 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

Cedar Crest 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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