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Weather & Climate in El Valle de Arroyo Seco, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
El Valle de Arroyo Seco experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,839 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,839 ft (1,780 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 312/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9526°N, 106.0260°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Los Alamos County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
107 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Mar 22, 2004 | 30 km S of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 72 km | 13 km |
| Jul 29, 2009 | 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico | M4.1 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Sep 13, 2003 | 33 km S of Weston, Colorado | M3.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 18, 2010 | 30 km S of Segundo, Colorado | M3.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 1995 | 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico | M3.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 2009 | 29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.7 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 74 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Apr 28, 2003 | 32 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2011 | 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico | M3.5 | 12 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 106 km | 6 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2015 | 21 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.4 | 150 km | 3 km |
| Apr 24, 2005 | 25 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.4 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 77 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
50 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 34 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 10 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 71 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 73 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 55 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2018 | EF0 | 92 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 38 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2015 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 12, 2012 | EF0 | 48 km | 5.8 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 | 56 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 37 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 48 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 27 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 48 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 48 km |
| 2006 | OJO FELIZ | 17,767 | 82 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 38 km |
| 1993 | OJO | 14,887 | 88 km |
| 2002 | CERRO PELON | 13,015 | 91 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 21 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 37 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 67 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 24 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 32 km |
| 1996 | HONDO | 8,258 | 86 km |
| 2017 | BONITA | 7,754 | 71 km |
| 2017 | HONDITO | 6,949 | 73 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 20 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in |
El Valle de Arroyo Seco has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 32°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.4").