Weather & Climate in Los Chaves, NM

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Los Chaves enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°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 9.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,825 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,825 ft (1,471 m)
Area	10.2 sq mi (26.5 km²)
Population Density	406/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7335°N, 106.7611°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Valencia County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.2"

76% below US avg

Snowfall 5.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.85"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

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

84 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	32 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	33 km	6 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	33 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	88 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	101 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	70 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	56 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	33 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	32 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	82 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	60 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	144 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	127 km	0 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	32 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	48 km	13 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	60 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	54 km	6 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	8 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	81 km	5 km
Sep 23, 2009	29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico	M3.4	102 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1975	EF2	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	51 km	2.0 mi	1
May 13, 2012	EF1	86 km	1.2 mi	0
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	88 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	63 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	5 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	52 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 2, 1950	EF1	81 km	7.9 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	65 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	91 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	51 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	52 km	0.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	96 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	8 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	53 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	25 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	75 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	82 km	2.4 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	46 km	2.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (113 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	113 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	131 km
Red Hill	Volcanic field	2,300 m (7,546 ft)	-9450	197 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DOG HEAD (19,816 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	44 km
2009	EAST MAGDALENA RX	15,626	90 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	35 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	40 km
1996	SAN PEDRO	8,048	99 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	97 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	36 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	36 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	37 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	41 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	43 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	41 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	42 km
2008	HWY 380	2,913	92 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,632	64 km
2003	SANFRANCISCO	2,292	35 km
2007	DOUBLE EAGLE	2,281	51 km
2011	SEVILLETA	2,094	32 km
2001	DEEP WELL	1,608	44 km
2021	CULEBRA	1,515	98 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	47°F (8°C)	0.5 in
April	54°F (12°C)	0.4 in
May	62°F (17°C)	0.6 in
June	71°F (22°C)	0.5 in
July	78°F (25°C)	1.4 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
September	67°F (20°C)	1.3 in
October	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
November	44°F (7°C)	0.6 in
December	35°F (2°C)	0.5 in

Los Chaves has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 35°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.4").

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