Weather & Climate in Kirtland AFB, NM

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

Kirtland AFB enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°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 8.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,377 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	57.9°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,377 ft (1,639 m)
Area	80.6 sq mi (208.7 km²)
Population Density	628/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0478°N, 106.5610°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 8.8"

77% below US avg

Snowfall 7.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.85"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

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

97 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	71 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	72 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	132 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	72 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	122 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	98 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	56 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	133 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	71 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	115 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	73 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	65 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	47 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	80 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	104 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	67 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	88 km	13 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	72 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	28 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	68 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

65 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	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	47 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	60 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	26 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	85 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	42 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	36 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	28 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	55 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	84 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	57 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	32 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	80 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	24 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	61 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	83 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	98 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	75 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	58 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (134 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	134 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	152 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAS CONCHAS (150,874 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	92 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	80 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	98 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	94 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	32 km
1996	DOME	15,783	82 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	43 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	76 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	95 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	52 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	52 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	37 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	75 km
2014	PINO	4,415	77 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	82 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	93 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	75 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	76 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	85 km
2018	EAST ROWE MESA RX BP	2,734	94 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.5 in	Driest
February	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in
March	47°F (8°C)	0.6 in
April	55°F (13°C)	0.6 in
May	64°F (18°C)	0.7 in
June	74°F (23°C)	0.6 in
July	79°F (26°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
September	68°F (20°C)	1.2 in
October	57°F (14°C)	1.1 in
November	45°F (7°C)	0.6 in
December	36°F (2°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Kirtland AFB has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 36°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and January the driest (0.5").

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