Weather & Climate in Chilili, NM

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

Chilili experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°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 13.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.9 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 6,839 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.4°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,839 ft (2,085 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	27/sq mi
Coordinates	34.8974°N, 106.2331°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Valencia County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.6"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 17.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.87"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.79"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	64.2 / 100
Community Resilience	3.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

82 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	76 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	76 km	6 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	76 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	110 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	132 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	22 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	75 km	7 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	77 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	102 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	39 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	61 km	6 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	78 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	109 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	144 km	0 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	41 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	94 km	13 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	59 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	39 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	113 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	112 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

80 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	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	80 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	37 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	53 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	87 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	50 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	31 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	55 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	50 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	76 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	67 km	0.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	70 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	45 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	58 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	62 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 17, 2019	EF0	78 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	77 km	4.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	54 km	2.6 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (127 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	127 km
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	162 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CERRO PELADO (45,620 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	99 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	8 km
1996	DOME	15,783	97 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	27 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	73 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	80 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	38 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	38 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	19 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	69 km
2004	LOOKOUT	4,778	82 km
1994	VEGA	4,642	88 km
2014	PINO	4,415	99 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	92 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	68 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	70 km
1996	PINATOSA	3,455	90 km
2017	BULLDOG	2,807	75 km
2018	EAST ROWE MESA RX BP	2,734	78 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,632	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	0.9 in
February	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
March	40°F (5°C)	1.0 in
April	47°F (9°C)	0.8 in	Driest
May	56°F (13°C)	1.0 in
June	65°F (19°C)	1.0 in
July	72°F (22°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
September	61°F (16°C)	1.9 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.5 in
November	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Chilili has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 32°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and April the driest (0.8").

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