Weather & Climate in Chili, NM

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

Chili experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°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 11.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,854 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	50.4°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,854 ft (1,784 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density	56/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1050°N, 106.1527°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.1"

71% below US avg

Snowfall 10.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.09"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

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

169 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.

Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	143 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	127 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	55 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	141 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	146 km	4 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	146 km	4 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	145 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	145 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	121 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	138 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	49 km	5 km
Nov 20, 2009	29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.7	136 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	57 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	142 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2017	14 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.7	149 km	5 km
Sep 8, 2017	17 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	146 km	6 km
Apr 28, 2003	32 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	137 km	5 km
Sep 8, 2013	18 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	149 km	5 km
Feb 13, 2011	16 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.6	148 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	56 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	100 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	30 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	87 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	98 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	86 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	67 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	91 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	48 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	78 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	52 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	69 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	55 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	65 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	72 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 3, 2007	EF0	94 km	0.3 mi	0
May 25, 1999	EF0	81 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	72 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	36 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	49 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	27 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	67 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	44 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	92 km
1996	DOME	15,783	43 km
1993	OJO	14,887	98 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	35 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	24 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	72 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	43 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	48 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	78 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	53 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	57 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	39 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	60 km
1998	OSO	5,297	18 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	35°F (2°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	42°F (6°C)	0.5 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.5 in
May	57°F (14°C)	0.8 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
September	66°F (19°C)	1.4 in
October	54°F (12°C)	0.9 in
November	42°F (5°C)	0.6 in
December	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in

Chili has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.4").

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