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Weather & Climate in Maxwell, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Maxwell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°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 14.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,925 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.7°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,925 ft (1,806 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 787/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.5411°N, 104.5430°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Colfax County County |
| Nearest Airport | Taos Regional (TSM) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 35.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
339 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 6 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M5.3 | 60 km | 4 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km S of Weston, Colorado | M5.0 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado | M4.7 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 2001 | 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.5 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2004 | 30 km S of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2007 | 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado | M4.3 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jun 19, 2023 | Colorado | M4.1 | 86 km | 6 km |
| Aug 10, 2005 | 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado | M4.1 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2009 | 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico | M4.1 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 59 km | 4 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado | M4.0 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2011 | 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M4.0 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 2016 | Colorado | M4.0 | 71 km | 2 km |
| Sep 4, 2001 | 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado | M4.0 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 18 km SSW of Weston, CO | M3.9 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.9 | 71 km | 1 km |
| Mar 10, 2023 | 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Sep 16, 2011 | 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado | M3.9 | 42 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 52 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 14, 1977 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1964 | EF3 | 4 km | 3.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 1996 | EF2 | 34 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1992 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1962 | EF2 | 69 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2014 | EF1 | 69 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2014 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1992 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1983 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1983 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1979 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 1977 | EF1 | 17 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1965 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1962 | EF1 | 99 km | 15.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2022 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 88 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2021 | EF0 | 8 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2021 | EF0 | 7 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF0 | 62 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PONIL COMPLEX (89,084 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | PONIL COMPLEX | 89,084 | 48 km |
| 2022 | COOKS PEAK | 61,195 | 48 km |
| 2006 | GLADSTONE | 44,125 | 73 km |
| 2018 | UTE PARK | 30,177 | 43 km |
| 2011 | TRACK | 28,893 | 50 km |
| 2006 | CASA | 27,452 | 35 km |
| 2002 | SPRING | 24,044 | 65 km |
| 2006 | OJO FELIZ | 17,767 | 72 km |
| 2005 | GLADSTONE | 16,794 | 57 km |
| 2006 | RIVERA MESA | 16,412 | 47 km |
| 1993 | OJO | 14,887 | 69 km |
| 2002 | CERRO PELON | 13,015 | 66 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 81 km |
| 1996 | FARLEY | 10,456 | 47 km |
| 2006 | LEVI | 9,491 | 54 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 8,454 | 57 km |
| 2018 | EMILY | 8,342 | 70 km |
| 1996 | HONDO | 8,258 | 95 km |
| 2000 | DIAMOND | 7,866 | 64 km |
| 2002 | JAMES AND JOHN | 7,190 | 60 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.3 in |
Maxwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 30°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").