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Weather & Climate in La Cienega, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Cienega experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°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 10.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,158 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.0°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,158 ft (1,877 m) |
| Area | 11.4 sq mi (29.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 324/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5794°N, 106.1131°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Los Alamos County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 2 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
72 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 | 142 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 143 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 92 km | 13 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 1995 | 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico | M3.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 142 km | 7 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 72 km | 6 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2011 | 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico | M3.5 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 112 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
62 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 59 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 14 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 34 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 80 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 53 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 29 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 92 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 20 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 21 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 30 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 9 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 76 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2016 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (192 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 192 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 | 70 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 43 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 40 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 41 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 49 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 53 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 83 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 31 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 54 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 61 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 99 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 41 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 53 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,351 | 99 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 41 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 43 km |
| 1998 | OSO | 5,297 | 52 km |
| 2022 | MIDNIGHT | 5,293 | 96 km |
| 2008 | BIG SPRING | 5,050 | 93 km |
| 2023 | ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24 | 4,616 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 0.8 in |
La Cienega has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 32°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and April the driest (0.6").