Weather & Climate in Dulce, NM

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

Dulce experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 69°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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 55.7 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 7,275 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,275 ft (2,217 m)
Area	12.8 sq mi (33.2 km²)
Population Density	217/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9538°N, 107.0003°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Archuleta County County
Nearest Airport	Four Corners Regional (FMN) 70 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.4"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 55.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	34.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.7 / 100
Community Resilience	22.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	84 km	13 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	76 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	83 km	10 km
Mar 10, 2023	16 km S of Ophir, Colorado	M3.6	113 km	7 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	66 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	68 km	5 km
Feb 28, 2019	22 km NNW of Blanca, Colorado	M3.4	148 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2021	2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.3	80 km	5 km
Jun 14, 2018	0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	85 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2018	3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	87 km	3 km
Jul 12, 2021	4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.0	78 km	10 km
Jun 18, 2002	39 km SW of Creede, Colorado	M2.9	74 km	5 km
Feb 11, 2006	13 km NE of Costilla, New Mexico	M2.9	139 km	5 km
Sep 1, 2024	7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	80 km	10 km
Feb 8, 2021	3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	82 km	6 km
Jan 17, 2009	11 km NNW of Cañones, New Mexico	M2.8	88 km	5 km
Jun 17, 2022	4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico	M2.8	81 km	3 km
Jul 13, 2021	4 km NE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.7	81 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	4 km SE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.7	86 km	10 km
Apr 7, 2012	27 km SSE of Gerrard, Colorado	M2.7	70 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1997	EF2	81 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	82 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	18 km	2.3 mi	0
Oct 5, 2004	EF1	81 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 1997	EF1	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 30, 1966	EF1	56 km	1.5 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	95 km	3.5 mi	0
Sep 25, 2012	EF0	98 km	1.4 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 2006	EF0	98 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 15, 2005	EF0	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 29, 2002	EF0	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 25, 1999	EF0	33 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 29, 1998	EF0	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1995	EF0	95 km	0.1 mi	0
May 30, 1992	EF0	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 20, 1990	EF0	78 km	1.5 mi	0
May 28, 1963	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	MISSIONARY RIDGE	68,919	81 km
2018	416	55,123	100 km
2013	PAPOOSE	46,991	82 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX - EAST ZONE	34,441	76 km
2012	LITTLE SAND	26,240	58 km
2013	WEST FORK COMPLEX	18,775	63 km
1996	ARCHULETA	15,613	5 km
1994	UNNAMED	13,234	89 km
2002	MILLION	7,923	83 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	87 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	95 km
2001	SANDOVAL	6,773	30 km
2017	EIGHT FOUR TWO	5,954	46 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	92 km
2023	ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24	4,616	95 km
2002	MONTOYA	4,116	77 km
2005	PINE CANYON	4,092	93 km
2016	GREATER GRACIA RX	3,960	27 km
2006	BEAR PAW	3,277	83 km
2017	OJITOS	3,260	81 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	1.6 in
February	28°F (-2°C)	1.4 in
March	34°F (1°C)	1.9 in
April	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
May	49°F (10°C)	1.2 in
June	58°F (15°C)	0.9 in	Driest
July	69°F (21°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	64°F (18°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
September	58°F (14°C)	2.0 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.9 in
November	35°F (2°C)	1.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	1.7 in	Coldest

Dulce has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 27°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and June the driest (0.9").

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