Weather & Climate in Mesita, NM

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

Mesita experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°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 10.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 15.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,657 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	52.7°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,657 ft (1,724 m)
Area	10.7 sq mi (27.7 km²)
Population Density	110/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0058°N, 107.3163°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Valencia County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.0"

74% below US avg

Snowfall 15.0"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.05"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.47"

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

89 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	72 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	75 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	145 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	75 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	135 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	46 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	145 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	121 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	114 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	131 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	74 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	74 km	7 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	27 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	55 km	6 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	58 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	119 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	118 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	78 km	13 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	71 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	137 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 8 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1975	EF2	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	26 km	2.0 mi	1
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	63 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1950	EF1	99 km	7.9 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	75 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	62 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	57 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	78 km	0.4 mi	0
May 30, 2019	EF0	85 km	0.4 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	30 km	2.4 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	13 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	96 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 2016	EF0	98 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 3, 2011	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 16, 2005	EF0	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 2004	EF0	60 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 (66 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	66 km
Red Hill	Volcanic field	2,300 m (7,546 ft)	-9450	162 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	186 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	94 km
2002	CHERRY	15,105	72 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	92 km
2018	DIENER CANYON	9,824	74 km
2004	SEDGWICK	9,241	73 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	90 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	41 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	95 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	94 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	92 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	93 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	67 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	93 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	93 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	98 km
2018	BLUE WATER	3,663	75 km
1989	COLLAPSE	3,438	71 km
2019	REDONDO RX	3,382	83 km
1999	LA JARA	3,249	44 km
1989	MALPAIS	2,300	72 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	0.5 in
March	44°F (7°C)	0.5 in
April	51°F (10°C)	0.5 in	Driest
May	60°F (15°C)	0.6 in
June	70°F (21°C)	0.5 in
July	74°F (23°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Wettest
September	65°F (18°C)	1.4 in
October	54°F (12°C)	1.1 in
November	42°F (6°C)	0.6 in
December	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in

Mesita has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 34°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and April the driest (0.5").

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