Weather & Climate in Peñasco, NM

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

Peñasco experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°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 12.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.4 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 7,646 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.5°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,646 ft (2,331 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	502/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1703°N, 105.6907°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.7"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 28.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.72"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.71"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	74.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.2 / 100
Community Resilience	36.1 / 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 High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Relatively High

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

Earthquake History

324 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	133 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	115 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	140 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	144 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	107 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	122 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	141 km	6 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	94 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	95 km	13 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	117 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	104 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	112 km	4 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	120 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	143 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	133 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	121 km	2 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	124 km	1 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	140 km	4 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	113 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	116 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

41 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 40 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	78 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	99 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	64 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	44 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	57 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	49 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	92 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	82 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	54 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	77 km	3.8 mi	0
Aug 9, 2017	EF0	99 km	0.3 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	83 km	2.8 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	60 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	69 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	67 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	96 km	3.8 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	43 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	74 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	81 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	66 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	86 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	64 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	72 km
2006	CASA	27,452	76 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	53 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	84 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	51 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	69 km
1996	DOME	15,783	76 km
1993	OJO	14,887	57 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	60 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	22 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	66 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	30 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	37 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	30 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	30°F (-1°C)	0.7 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.0 in
June	62°F (16°C)	1.3 in
July	70°F (21°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
September	59°F (15°C)	1.7 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in

Peñasco has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and February the driest (0.7").

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