Weather & Climate in Chama, NM

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

Chama has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 323 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 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 91.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,818 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)

Annual Average	42.2°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,818 ft (2,383 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density	260/sq mi
Coordinates	36.8901°N, 106.5842°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 55 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"

41% below US avg

Snowfall 91.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jun) 1.18"

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

133 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	132 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	75 km	13 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	147 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	146 km	2 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	150 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	146 km	4 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	149 km	5 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	142 km	5 km
Nov 20, 2009	29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.7	142 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	47 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2017	14 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.7	146 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	75 km	10 km
May 27, 2010	14 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	150 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	16 km S of Ophir, Colorado	M3.6	144 km	7 km
Apr 28, 2003	32 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	148 km	5 km
Feb 13, 2011	16 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	147 km	5 km
Feb 22, 2015	12 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	146 km	5 km
Feb 22, 2015	5 km E of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.6	145 km	5 km
Sep 8, 2017	17 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	146 km	6 km
Dec 4, 2012	13 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.5	147 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

26 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1997	EF2	93 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1955	EF2	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	49 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	20 km	2.3 mi	0
Mar 19, 1995	EF1	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF1	84 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1982	EF1	82 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	88 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 30, 1966	EF1	91 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 25, 1956	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	65 km	3.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	84 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 25, 2012	EF0	89 km	1.4 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 2006	EF0	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 2006	EF0	91 km	5.0 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	63 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 15, 2005	EF0	63 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 1999	EF0	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 29, 1998	EF0	35 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: WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE (34,441 acres, 2013).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE	34,441	85 km
2012	LITTLE SAND	26,240	86 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX	18,775	76 km
1996	ARCHULETA	15,613	40 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	93 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	92 km
2002	MILLION	7,923	83 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	52 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	59 km
2001	SANDOVAL	6,773	67 km
2017	EIGHT FOUR TWO	5,954	82 km
1998	OSO	5,297	100 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	61 km
2023	ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24	4,616	63 km
2002	MONTOYA	4,116	49 km
2005	PINE CANYON	4,092	66 km
2014	DIEGO	3,983	92 km
2016	GREATER GRACIA RX	3,960	63 km
2006	BEAR PAW	3,277	80 km
2017	OJITOS	3,260	69 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	1.9 in	Coldest
February	23°F (-5°C)	1.9 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	2.5 in
April	37°F (3°C)	1.6 in
May	46°F (8°C)	1.4 in
June	54°F (12°C)	1.2 in	Driest
July	63°F (17°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	60°F (15°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
September	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
October	44°F (7°C)	2.1 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	1.9 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	1.9 in

Chama has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 22°F in January to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.0") and June the driest (1.2").

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