Weather & Climate in Des Moines, NM

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

Des Moines experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 70°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 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 40.9 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 6,635 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	49.4°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,635 ft (2,022 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density	106/sq mi
Coordinates	36.7613°N, 103.8341°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 104 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.6"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 40.9"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	12.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	83.7 / 100
Community Resilience	10.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

333 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	84 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	91 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	71 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	82 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	91 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	100 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	114 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	92 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	90 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	84 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	89 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	83 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	83 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	106 km	2 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	100 km	4 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	84 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	104 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	102 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	82 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	92 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

112 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 46 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1964	EF3	71 km	3.0 mi	1
May 31, 2010	EF2	99 km	2.8 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF2	76 km	22.0 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF2	94 km	8.8 mi	0
Sep 18, 1965	EF2	82 km	5.1 mi	0
May 17, 1962	EF2	95 km	10.8 mi	0
Jun 5, 1961	EF2	75 km	28.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	67 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	57 km	1.4 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF1	99 km	9.3 mi	0
May 23, 2010	EF1	83 km	4.2 mi	0
May 15, 2003	EF1	83 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1998	EF1	66 km	3.0 mi	0
May 25, 1996	EF1	86 km	4.0 mi	0
May 25, 1996	EF1	97 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	78 km	0.5 mi	0
May 30, 1988	EF1	88 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	71 km	0.5 mi	0
May 15, 1979	EF1	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	81 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRIDGER (46,612 acres, 2008).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2008	BRIDGER	46,612	89 km
2006	GLADSTONE	44,125	73 km
2011	BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE	36,863	90 km
2011	TRACK	28,893	57 km
2018	STATELINE	28,533	71 km
2022	MITCHELL	23,220	97 km
2011	RABBIT EAR	21,569	61 km
2005	GLADSTONE	16,794	43 km
2006	CLAPHAM	14,696	84 km
2011	SHELL COMPLEX	14,158	91 km
2020	CHERRY CANYON	11,823	82 km
1996	FARLEY	10,456	59 km
1996	CANYON	10,233	98 km
2011	CALLIE MARIE	9,393	93 km
2002	FURNISH	8,862	68 km
1996	RABBIT	8,457	59 km
1988	UNNAMED	8,454	38 km
2006	FERGUSON	8,226	44 km
2002	JAMES AND JOHN	7,190	61 km
2016	CLAVEL	7,115	82 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	32°F (0°C)	0.5 in
March	38°F (3°C)	0.9 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.0 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.2 in
June	63°F (17°C)	2.2 in
July	70°F (21°C)	3.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	67°F (19°C)	2.8 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.9 in
October	50°F (10°C)	0.9 in
November	38°F (3°C)	0.6 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Des Moines has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 30°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").

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