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Weather & Climate in La Cueva CDP (Santa Fe County), NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Cueva CDP (Santa Fe County) experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 69°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 16.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.3 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 7,236 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,236 ft (2,206 m) |
| Area | 7.7 sq mi (19.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 94/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5776°N, 105.7339°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Santa Fe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 63.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 33.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively High |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
51 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 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Jul 4, 1995 | 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico | M3.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2011 | 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico | M3.5 | 38 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.4 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 24, 1996 | 8 km WNW of Corona, New Mexico | M3.3 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2017 | 17 km S of Mora, New Mexico | M3.1 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.0 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Aug 15, 2007 | 5 km W of La Cienega, New Mexico | M3.0 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 126 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
61 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 57 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 24 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1966 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 48 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 64 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 53 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 53 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 29 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 65 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2016 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
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 | 42 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 70 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 72 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 65 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 19 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 82 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 96 km |
| 2006 | OJO FELIZ | 17,767 | 80 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 61 km |
| 1993 | OJO | 14,887 | 82 km |
| 2002 | CERRO PELON | 13,015 | 86 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 46 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 82 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 80 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 30 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 36 km |
| 2018 | EMILY | 8,342 | 88 km |
| 2000 | DIAMOND | 7,866 | 98 km |
| 2018 | LITTLE CONCHAS | 7,429 | 91 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,351 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
La Cueva CDP (Santa Fe County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 31°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.7") and April the driest (0.7").