Weather & Climate in Pajarito Mesa, NM

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

Pajarito Mesa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 78°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 9.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,379 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,379 ft (1,640 m)
Area	12.5 sq mi (32.3 km²)
Population Density	6/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9796°N, 106.7805°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Valencia County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.2"

76% below US avg

Snowfall 5.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.81"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.43"

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

95 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	58 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	59 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	139 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	60 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	116 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	83 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	72 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	139 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	59 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	110 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	60 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	72 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	34 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	64 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	122 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	75 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	73 km	13 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	58 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	27 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	76 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

59 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 9 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1975	EF2	35 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	31 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	81 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	38 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	31 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	57 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	40 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	76 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	78 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	73 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	23 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	77 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	26 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	52 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	91 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	78 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	90 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	37 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	61 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (113 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	113 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	155 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CERRO PELADO (45,620 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	91 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	46 km
1996	DOME	15,783	95 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	49 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	68 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	80 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	55 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	55 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	46 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	68 km
2014	PINO	4,415	86 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	66 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	100 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	68 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	69 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	90 km
1999	LA JARA	3,249	86 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,632	86 km
2003	SANFRANCISCO	2,292	62 km
2007	DOUBLE EAGLE	2,281	24 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	41°F (5°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	47°F (8°C)	0.6 in
April	54°F (12°C)	0.4 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.6 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.6 in
July	78°F (25°C)	1.3 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	1.8 in	Wettest
September	68°F (20°C)	1.3 in
October	56°F (14°C)	1.0 in
November	44°F (7°C)	0.6 in
December	35°F (2°C)	0.5 in

Pajarito Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 35°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.8") and February the driest (0.4").

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