Weather & Climate in Cochiti Lake, NM

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

Cochiti Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°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 11.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,639 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	55.9°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,639 ft (1,719 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	365/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6478°N, 106.3425°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Los Alamos County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.8"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 8.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.17"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	3.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	99.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

73 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	141 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	141 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	74 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	142 km	10 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	115 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	95 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	96 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	76 km	10 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	142 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	141 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	123 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	40 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	141 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	123 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	62 km	6 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	116 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	100 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	107 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	125 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.4	123 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

58 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	88 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	75 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	46 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	33 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	40 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	55 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	98 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	44 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	45 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	14 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	61 km	0.0 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	91 km	0.2 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	6 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	25 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	27 km	0.3 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	94 km	4.9 mi	0
Aug 13, 2016	EF0	97 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 2016	EF0	88 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2015	EF0	66 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (178 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	178 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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	86 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	26 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	19 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	29 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	68 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	33 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	89 km
1996	DOME	15,783	13 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	63 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	47 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	54 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	66 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	52 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	61 km
1998	OSO	5,297	42 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	88 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	98 km
2023	ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24	4,616	91 km
2014	PINO	4,415	25 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	42 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	0.7 in
February	38°F (3°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	44°F (7°C)	0.8 in
April	51°F (11°C)	0.7 in
May	61°F (16°C)	0.9 in
June	70°F (21°C)	0.8 in
July	78°F (25°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in	Wettest
September	66°F (19°C)	1.5 in
October	55°F (13°C)	1.1 in
November	42°F (6°C)	0.8 in
December	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Cochiti Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 34°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and February the driest (0.6").

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