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Weather & Climate in Golden, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Golden experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 7,060 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,060 ft (2,152 m) |
| Area | 6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 3/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2637°N, 106.2230°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Bernalillo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 94.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
96 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Jan 29, 1990 | 6 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.5 | 107 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 107 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 1990 | 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.9 | 150 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 51 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 119 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 1990 | 31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.6 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 107 km | 7 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 51 km | 6 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 124 km | 13 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 27, 1975 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 36 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 33 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 16 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 30 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 48 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2020 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2019 | EF0 | 99 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 93 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 48 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (167 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 167 km |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 170 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
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 | 98 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 70 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 61 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 72 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 75 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 76 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 46 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 57 km |
| 2008 | TRIGO | 13,855 | 66 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 90 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 91 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 75 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 86 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,351 | 87 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 76 km |
| 2007 | OJO PEAK | 6,118 | 77 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 72 km |
| 1998 | OSO | 5,297 | 85 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,083 | 76 km |
| 2008 | BIG SPRING | 5,050 | 57 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 1.0 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.5 in | |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 40°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 0.9 in |
Golden has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 31°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.8").