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Weather & Climate in La Plata, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Plata experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 77°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 7.8 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 5,735 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 53.2°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,735 ft (1,748 m) |
| Area | 22.2 sq mi (57.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 99/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8964°N, 108.2008°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | San Juan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Sep 13, 1994 | 17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado | M4.4 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 150 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jun 6, 2008 | 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah | M3.6 | 124 km | 12 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 16 km S of Ophir, Colorado | M3.6 | 96 km | 7 km |
| Apr 9, 2021 | 2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.3 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 134 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 130 km | -3 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.0 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jun 14, 2018 | 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 39 km SW of Creede, Colorado | M2.9 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2021 | 3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico | M2.9 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Sep 1, 2024 | 7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico | M2.9 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Jun 17, 2022 | 4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico | M2.8 | 132 km | 3 km |
| Sep 14, 1994 | 20 km ENE of Norwood, Colorado | M2.8 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 115 km | 14 km |
| May 2, 2013 | 5 km NE of Ridgway, Colorado | M2.7 | 149 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
18 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 25, 1985 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1957 | EF2 | 24 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 2004 | EF1 | 40 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1999 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1997 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1970 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1966 | EF1 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2020 | EF0 | 31 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 36 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2013 | EF0 | 27 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2013 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2011 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 2002 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1992 | EF0 | 36 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1990 | EF0 | 19 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1963 | EF0 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | MISSIONARY RIDGE | 68,919 | 77 km |
| 2018 | 416 | 55,123 | 71 km |
| 2000 | BIRCHER | 23,317 | 41 km |
| 2018 | PLATEAU | 19,746 | 83 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 13,234 | 33 km |
| 2012 | WEBER | 10,898 | 45 km |
| 2009 | NARRAGUINNEP | 7,798 | 97 km |
| 2001 | SANDOVAL | 6,773 | 82 km |
| 2017 | EIGHT FOUR TWO | 5,954 | 78 km |
| 1986 | WESTTOE | 5,397 | 77 km |
| 1986 | HOGAN | 5,298 | 76 km |
| 2018 | BURRO | 5,242 | 69 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,224 | 46 km |
| 1996 | CHAPIN 5 | 4,832 | 46 km |
| 2016 | GREATER GRACIA RX | 3,960 | 89 km |
| 2002 | CARRIZO 1 | 3,701 | 81 km |
| 1984 | FERNANDO | 3,419 | 72 km |
| 2020 | EAST CANYON | 3,031 | 44 km |
| 1987 | AZTECTHREE | 2,857 | 62 km |
| 2012 | VALLECITO | 2,764 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.0 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 1.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.1 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
La Plata has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 30°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.5") and June the driest (0.4").