Weather & Climate in Haystack, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Haystack experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 12.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 7,273 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.1°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,273 ft (2,217 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 81/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.3545°N, 107.9389°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | McKinley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 78 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
59 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 | 138 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 141 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 144 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 106 km | 6 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 50 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 140 km | 13 km |
| Sep 23, 2009 | 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M3.4 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.3 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Apr 6, 2011 | 17 km WNW of La Joya, New Mexico | M3.2 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.2 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.1 | 140 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 28 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 55 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2017 | EF0 | 81 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2016 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1957 | EF0 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (62 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 62 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 147 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY (15,105 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | CHERRY | 15,105 | 58 km |
| 2018 | DIENER CANYON | 9,824 | 25 km |
| 2004 | SEDGWICK | 9,241 | 23 km |
| 2019 | TRIPLE NICKLE | 7,819 | 36 km |
| 2018 | BLUE WATER | 3,663 | 19 km |
| 1989 | COLLAPSE | 3,438 | 63 km |
| 2019 | REDONDO RX | 3,382 | 30 km |
| 1999 | LA JARA | 3,249 | 27 km |
| 1989 | MALPAIS | 2,300 | 60 km |
| 2004 | BROADCAST BLOCK 1 | 2,285 | 63 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,983 | 27 km |
| 1989 | HOYA | 1,869 | 56 km |
| 2023 | COPPERTAN RX 23 BLOCK 1 AND 2 | 1,850 | 31 km |
| 2000 | WALL | 1,751 | 55 km |
| 2021 | COPPERTAN RX FY21 | 1,694 | 31 km |
| 2012 | COPPERTON | 1,583 | 31 km |
| 2017 | ENCINO | 1,501 | 100 km |
| 2014 | 2 MERTZ RX | 1,426 | 81 km |
| 2006 | FOREST UNIT | 1,408 | 72 km |
| 2014 | WHISKEY | 1,176 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Haystack has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 30°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and June the driest (0.6").