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Weather & Climate in La Joya, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Joya enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°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 8.6 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 4,723 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,723 ft (1,440 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 148/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3450°N, 106.8467°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Valencia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
82 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 | 14 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 12 km | 6 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 11 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 1990 | 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.9 | 50 km | 5 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 1990 | 31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.6 | 46 km | 5 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 12 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 13 km | 7 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 98 km | 6 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 14 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 68 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 15 km | 13 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 1991 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.5 | 88 km | 0 km |
| Jul 22, 2013 | 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.4 | 52 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2007 | 4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico | M3.4 | 32 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 27, 1975 | EF2 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| May 13, 2012 | EF1 | 49 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1950 | EF1 | 43 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2021 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2021 | EF0 | 78 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 50 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 34 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2020 | EF0 | 22 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 97 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 76 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2017 | EF0 | 75 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2016 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2012 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2011 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 17, 2005 | EF0 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2005 | EF0 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (105 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 105 km |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 117 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 183 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BEAR TRAP (38,201 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | BEAR TRAP | 38,201 | 87 km |
| 2016 | NORTH | 34,562 | 77 km |
| 1994 | POT | 30,248 | 94 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 22,591 | 97 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 75 km |
| 2020 | VICS PEAK | 16,283 | 97 km |
| 2009 | EAST MAGDALENA RX | 15,626 | 48 km |
| 2008 | TRIGO | 13,855 | 57 km |
| 2015 | RED CANYON | 13,506 | 87 km |
| 1994 | BLACK | 10,695 | 89 km |
| 2017 | TIFFANY | 8,654 | 77 km |
| 2009 | BLACK BUTTE | 8,124 | 13 km |
| 1996 | SAN PEDRO | 8,048 | 55 km |
| 2010 | FISHER RX | 7,892 | 83 km |
| 1994 | OSCURA | 7,179 | 90 km |
| 2007 | OJO PEAK | 6,118 | 49 km |
| 1994 | PINNACLE | 5,964 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,083 | 49 km |
| 2008 | BIG SPRING | 5,050 | 65 km |
| 2006 | MARCIAL | 4,873 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 0.4 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
La Joya has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 37°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and March the driest (0.3").