Weather & Climate in North Light Plant, NM

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

North Light Plant experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°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). The area receives 10.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,883 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 76°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	53.3°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,883 ft (1,793 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density	265/sq mi
Coordinates	36.8670°N, 108.0331°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	San Juan County County
Nearest Airport	Four Corners Regional (FMN) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.1"

74% below US avg

Snowfall 10.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.61"

Driest Month (Jun) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	88.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.5 / 100
Community Resilience	5.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.

Sep 13, 1994	17 km N of Sawpit, Colorado	M4.4	143 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	135 km	13 km
Apr 22, 2017	4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah	M3.7	143 km	9 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	133 km	10 km
Jun 6, 2008	10 km NE of Bluff, Utah	M3.6	139 km	12 km
Mar 10, 2023	16 km S of Ophir, Colorado	M3.6	95 km	7 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	145 km	5 km
May 10, 1991	24 km SSE of South Fork, Colorado	M3.4	145 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2021	2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.3	130 km	5 km
Feb 24, 1993	16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah	M3.1	147 km	-1 km
May 13, 1993	19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah	M3.1	143 km	-3 km
Jul 4, 2021	24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico	M3.1	106 km	5 km
Jun 14, 2018	0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	122 km	5 km
Jun 26, 2018	3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	126 km	3 km
Jul 12, 2021	4 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.0	130 km	10 km
Feb 8, 2021	3 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	133 km	6 km
Jun 18, 2002	39 km SW of Creede, Colorado	M2.9	107 km	5 km
Sep 1, 2024	7 km ENE of Capulin, New Mexico	M2.9	134 km	10 km
Jun 10, 2020	5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona	M2.8	126 km	14 km
Jun 17, 2022	4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico	M2.8	118 km	3 km

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

Tornado History

19 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 25, 1985	EF2	72 km	0.5 mi	0
May 10, 1957	EF2	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 5, 2004	EF1	34 km	2.5 mi	0
Aug 5, 1999	EF1	24 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1997	EF1	72 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 5, 1970	EF1	87 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 30, 1966	EF1	39 km	1.5 mi	0
Mar 21, 2020	EF0	34 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 2015	EF0	31 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 18, 2013	EF0	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 10, 2013	EF0	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 2011	EF0	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 2002	EF0	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 23, 2000	EF0	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 23, 2000	EF0	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 25, 1999	EF0	99 km	0.3 mi	0
May 30, 1992	EF0	29 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 28, 1990	EF0	21 km	0.2 mi	0
May 28, 1963	EF0	17 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MISSIONARY RIDGE (68,919 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	MISSIONARY RIDGE	68,919	72 km
2018	416	55,123	71 km
2012	LITTLE SAND	26,240	91 km
2000	BIRCHER	23,317	52 km
2018	PLATEAU	19,746	91 km
1996	ARCHULETA	15,613	92 km
1994	UNNAMED	13,234	30 km
2012	WEBER	10,898	52 km
2001	SANDOVAL	6,773	69 km
2017	EIGHT FOUR TWO	5,954	67 km
1986	WESTTOE	5,397	92 km
1986	HOGAN	5,298	91 km
2018	BURRO	5,242	72 km
2000	PONY	5,224	59 km
1996	CHAPIN 5	4,832	58 km
2016	GREATER GRACIA RX	3,960	76 km
2002	CARRIZO 1	3,701	96 km
1984	FERNANDO	3,419	87 km
2020	EAST CANYON	3,031	50 km
1987	AZTECTHREE	2,857	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
February	35°F (1°C)	0.9 in
March	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
April	48°F (9°C)	0.7 in
May	58°F (14°C)	0.8 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.4 in	Driest
July	76°F (25°C)	1.2 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.6 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.2 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.4 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

North Light Plant has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 30°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.6") and June the driest (0.4").

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