Weather & Climate in El Rito, NM

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

El Rito experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 30°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 11.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,767 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.9°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,767 ft (2,063 m)
Area	4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²)
Population Density	234/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3326°N, 106.1741°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.7"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 23.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.28"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.7 / 100
Community Resilience	9.4 / 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 Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

264 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	138 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	132 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	140 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	113 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	53 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	131 km	5 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	139 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	132 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	137 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	144 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	141 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	132 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	142 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2015	25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.8	142 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	134 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	122 km	5 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	130 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	126 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	26 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	55 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	85 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	78 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	54 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	96 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	91 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	80 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	83 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	72 km	3.8 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	78 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	90 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	80 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	37 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	89 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	97 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 3, 2007	EF0	98 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 15, 2005	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
May 25, 1999	EF0	86 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: HERMITS PEAK (352,046 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	HERMITS PEAK	352,046	86 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	56 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	70 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	49 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	87 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	60 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	97 km
1996	DOME	15,783	66 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	51 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	37 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	74 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	64 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	66 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	62 km
2017	BONITA	7,754	28 km
2017	HONDITO	6,949	34 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	60 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	81 km
1998	OSO	5,297	37 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	12 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	40°F (5°C)	0.6 in
April	47°F (8°C)	0.6 in
May	56°F (13°C)	0.9 in
June	65°F (18°C)	0.9 in
July	69°F (21°C)	1.9 in
August	70°F (21°C)	2.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.5 in
October	53°F (12°C)	1.0 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.7 in
December	32°F (0°C)	0.5 in

El Rito has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 30°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and February the driest (0.4").

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