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Weather & Climate in La Cueva CDP (Sandoval County), NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Cueva CDP (Sandoval County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,778 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,778 ft (2,371 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 50/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.8694°N, 106.6485°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Sandoval County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 59.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 41 km | 13 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2011 | 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico | M3.5 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2017 | 17 km S of Mora, New Mexico | M3.1 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 5 km WNW of Veguita, New Mexico | M3.1 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 42 km | 3 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.0 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Aug 15, 2007 | 5 km W of La Cienega, New Mexico | M3.0 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | 4 km NNE of Eldorado at Santa Fe, New Mexico | M3.0 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Jun 14, 2018 | 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Feb 25, 2022 | 7 km SW of Pueblitos, New Mexico | M2.9 | 145 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
44 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 49 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 37 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 54 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2016 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2015 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 12, 2012 | EF0 | 92 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2012 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2011 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2009 | EF0 | 86 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (171 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 171 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 | 20 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 18 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 30 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 97 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 9 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 28 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 78 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 30 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 77 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 87 km |
| 2017 | BONITA | 7,754 | 91 km |
| 2017 | HONDITO | 6,949 | 100 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 74 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 90 km |
| 1998 | OSO | 5,297 | 34 km |
| 2022 | MIDNIGHT | 5,293 | 75 km |
| 2023 | ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24 | 4,616 | 79 km |
| 2014 | PINO | 4,415 | 15 km |
| 2002 | LAKES | 4,306 | 6 km |
| 2020 | MEDIO | 4,231 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 1.9 in | |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.0 in | Coldest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | Driest |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 1.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 58°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 53°F (12°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in |
La Cueva CDP (Sandoval County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.0") and May the driest (1.3").