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Weather & Climate in Los Cerrillos, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Los Cerrillos experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,759 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,759 ft (1,755 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 34/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4272°N, 106.1212°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Los Alamos County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 12 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
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 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 105 km | 13 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 128 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 1995 | 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico | M3.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 127 km | 7 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 129 km | 7 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Oct 17, 2011 | 3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico | M3.5 | 49 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 144 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 64 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
65 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 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 44 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 28 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 87 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 44 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 21 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 33 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 24 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 62 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (184 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 184 km |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 185 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 | 79 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 56 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 51 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 56 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 57 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 65 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 66 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 44 km |
| 2008 | TRIGO | 13,855 | 86 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 69 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 76 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 55 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 66 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,351 | 88 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 56 km |
| 2007 | OJO PEAK | 6,118 | 96 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 53 km |
| 1998 | OSO | 5,297 | 68 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,083 | 96 km |
| 2008 | BIG SPRING | 5,050 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 1.0 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.2 in | |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 0.7 in |
Los Cerrillos has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and February the driest (0.6").