Weather & Climate in Ojo Caliente, NM

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

Ojo Caliente 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 11.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.9 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 6,318 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.9°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,318 ft (1,926 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density	34/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3147°N, 106.0374°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Rio Arriba County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.7"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 23.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.13"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.7 / 100
Community Resilience	9.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

291 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	145 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	128 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	122 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	132 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	104 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	65 km	13 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	130 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	121 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	129 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	135 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	146 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	123 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	132 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	132 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	123 km	4 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	124 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	116 km	5 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	122 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2015	25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.8	132 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	110 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 29, 2014	EF1	95 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	74 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	50 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	90 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	84 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	92 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	75 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	71 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	73 km	3.8 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	75 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	83 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	77 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	84 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	97 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 3, 2007	EF0	86 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 17, 2005	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 15, 2005	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HERMITS PEAK (352,046 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	HERMITS PEAK	352,046	75 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	60 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	98 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	96 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	74 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	52 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	94 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	79 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	66 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	85 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	99 km
1996	DOME	15,783	68 km
1993	OJO	14,887	91 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	93 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	42 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	44 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	61 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	56 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	56 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	54 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in
April	47°F (9°C)	0.5 in
May	56°F (14°C)	0.8 in
June	66°F (19°C)	0.9 in
July	69°F (21°C)	1.7 in
August	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in	Warmest, Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.4 in
October	53°F (12°C)	0.9 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.7 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	0.5 in

Ojo Caliente has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 30°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 10.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.4").

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