Weather & Climate in Costilla, NM

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

Costilla has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 66°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 13.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 61.5 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 7,804 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	45.1°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,804 ft (2,379 m)
Area	3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²)
Population Density	164/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9785°N, 105.5353°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	San Luis Valley Regional/Bergman Field (ALS) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.4"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 61.5"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.28"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	74.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.2 / 100
Community Resilience	36.1 / 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 High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

352 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Aug 23, 2011	6 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M5.3	75 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	63 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	87 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	83 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	58 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	62 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	40 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	74 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	137 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	66 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	101 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	63 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	54 km	4 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	71 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	75 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	53 km	2 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	81 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	52 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	72 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	75 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

44 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 47 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1964	EF3	99 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 31, 1955	EF3	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	76 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1955	EF2	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	52 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 16, 2008	EF1	75 km	0.3 mi	0
Mar 19, 1995	EF1	59 km	0.1 mi	0
May 25, 1993	EF1	72 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF1	67 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	80 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 1982	EF1	75 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	27 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1965	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 1956	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	49 km	3.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	12 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	55 km	2.3 mi	0
May 22, 2014	EF0	69 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	SPRING CREEK	107,108	72 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	55 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	93 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	67 km
2011	TRACK	28,893	100 km
2006	CASA	27,452	85 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	50 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	96 km
2006	MATO VEGA	13,126	74 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	85 km
2013	EAST PEAK	10,082	77 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	38 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	70 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	60 km
2021	HART CANYON RX FY22	5,781	49 km
2018	LOOP ROAD RX	5,688	41 km
2008	WEST FORK	5,436	63 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	85 km
2003	ENCEBADO	5,064	62 km
2010	MEDANO	4,887	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	0.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	26°F (-4°C)	0.6 in
March	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
April	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
May	50°F (10°C)	1.2 in
June	59°F (15°C)	1.1 in
July	66°F (19°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	63°F (17°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
September	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.7 in

Costilla has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 22°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and January the driest (0.6").

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