Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crystal experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°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 11.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,329 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
49.2°F
9% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
7,329 ft (2,234 m)
Area
4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²)
Population Density
66/sq mi
Coordinates
36.0300°N, 108.9892°W
Timezone
America/Denver
County
San Juan County County
Nearest Airport
Four Corners Regional (FMN) 65 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall11.4"
70% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)2.44"
Driest Month (Jun)0.59"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
91.5 / 100
Community Resilience
5.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.8.
May 18, 2023
8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico
M3.8
149 km
5 km
Apr 22, 2017
4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah
M3.7
145 km
9 km
Jul 4, 2021
24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico
M3.1
56 km
5 km
Sep 13, 1996
10 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona
M2.9
148 km
2 km
Jun 10, 2020
5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona
M2.8
42 km
14 km
Aug 10, 2019
5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico
M2.8
131 km
5 km
Jan 30, 2023
18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico
M2.7
107 km
5 km
May 20, 1994
8 km NNW of Kayenta, Arizona
M2.7
145 km
-2 km
Sep 23, 1995
4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona
M2.7
100 km
8 km
Mar 6, 2023
17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona
M2.6
101 km
13 km
Aug 26, 2024
8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona
M2.6
87 km
5 km
May 20, 2024
11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico
M2.6
103 km
11 km
Jul 16, 2022
11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona
M2.5
78 km
5 km
Aug 25, 2024
13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona
M2.5
76 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 10, 1957
EF2
100 km
0.1 mi
0
Mar 21, 2020
EF0
92 km
0.5 mi
0
Oct 20, 2015
EF0
82 km
6.9 mi
0
Sep 18, 2013
EF0
98 km
0.2 mi
0
Sep 10, 2013
EF0
91 km
0.2 mi
0
Oct 21, 2010
EF0
79 km
0.8 mi
0
Aug 3, 2010
EF0
62 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 9, 2003
EF0
82 km
1.0 mi
0
Oct 17, 1962
EF0
87 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km.
Closest: Zuni-Bandera (164 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Zuni-Bandera
Volcanic field
2,550 m (8,366 ft)
-1170
164 km
Red Hill
Volcanic field
2,300 m (7,546 ft)
-9450
199 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WOOD SPRINGS 2 (13,208 acres, 2020).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2020
WOOD SPRINGS 2
13,208
33 km
2014
ASSAYII LAKE
13,176
13 km
2005
LITTLE WATER1
4,342
15 km
2002
CARRIZO 1
3,701
87 km
2005
HOOK LAKE
3,609
17 km
2009
SAWMILL ROAD RX
3,411
29 km
2004
TURKEY SPRING
3,017
21 km
2007
OAK RIDGE 3
2,959
67 km
2004
SANDSPRING
2,935
12 km
1996
ALLENTOWN5
2,653
91 km
2010
FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX
2,630
22 km
2006
KINLICHEE CANYON 1
2,283
39 km
2005
KINLICHEE
1,949
39 km
2011
CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN
1,801
16 km
2006
KINLICHEE 2
1,738
52 km
2001
9400 FMZ
1,312
28 km
2005
OAK RIDGE
1,309
50 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
1.5 in
February
27°F (-3°C)
1.1 in
March
32°F (0°C)
1.6 in
April
39°F (4°C)
0.9 in
May
47°F (8°C)
0.6 in
June
57°F (14°C)
0.6 in
Driest
July
72°F (22°C)
2.3 in
Warmest
August
62°F (17°C)
2.4 in
Wettest
September
57°F (14°C)
1.7 in
October
47°F (8°C)
1.6 in
November
35°F (1°C)
1.4 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
1.6 in
Coldest
Crystal has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and June the driest (0.6").