Weather & Climate in Magdalena, NM

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

Magdalena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°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 10.1 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 6,664 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.5°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,664 ft (2,031 m)
Area	6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²)
Population Density	123/sq mi
Coordinates	34.1095°N, 107.2318°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Cibola County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 73 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.1"

74% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.91"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	58.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	94.8 / 100
Community Resilience	3.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

79 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	51 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	51 km	6 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	51 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	62 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	143 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	139 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	108 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	64 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	50 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	52 km	7 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	6 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	50 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	74 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	110 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	111 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	34 km	13 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	126 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	89 km	0 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	62 km	5 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	27 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
May 27, 1975	EF2	74 km	0.1 mi	0
May 13, 2012	EF1	5 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 2, 1950	EF1	1 km	7.9 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	78 km	0.9 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	59 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	89 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	73 km	0.7 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	65 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	99 km	2.4 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	95 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 5, 2012	EF0	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 2004	EF0	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1965	EF0	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1963	EF0	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1954	EF0	67 km	3.8 mi	0
May 17, 1954	EF0	68 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

3 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (104 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	104 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	126 km
Red Hill	Volcanic field	2,300 m (7,546 ft)	-9450	148 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	44 km
2016	NORTH	34,562	34 km
2000	CHANCE	33,064	92 km
1994	POT	30,248	53 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	95 km
2020	VICS PEAK	16,283	58 km
2009	EAST MAGDALENA RX	15,626	20 km
2015	RED CANYON	13,506	44 km
1993	STONE	11,147	76 km
1994	BLACK	10,695	70 km
2006	UNNAMED	9,677	100 km
2017	2017 AREA 74 PRESCRIBE BURN	9,047	95 km
2017	TIFFANY	8,654	55 km
2017	PELONA MTN RX	8,181	81 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	57 km
1996	SAN PEDRO	8,048	46 km
2010	FISHER RX	7,892	39 km
2003	UNNAMED	6,555	97 km
2010	AREA 74 UNITS 9 AND 10	6,415	95 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	0.6 in
February	36°F (2°C)	0.6 in
March	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in
April	47°F (8°C)	0.3 in	Driest
May	56°F (13°C)	0.6 in
June	64°F (18°C)	0.7 in
July	77°F (25°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
September	62°F (17°C)	2.1 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.3 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in
December	33°F (1°C)	0.7 in	Coldest

Magdalena has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 33°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and April the driest (0.3").

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