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Weather & Climate in Placitas CDP (Doña Ana County), NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Placitas CDP (Doña Ana County) enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 83°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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,082 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
83°F Jul (29°C)
| Annual Average | 63.2°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (29°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,082 ft (1,244 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,638/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.6655°N, 107.1698°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Luna County County |
| Nearest Airport | Las Cruces International (LRU) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 1.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 49 km | 4 km |
| Jun 20, 1991 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.5 | 124 km | 0 km |
| May 19, 2011 | 40 km SSE of Datil, New Mexico | M3.2 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 1993 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.2 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2015 | 35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.0 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico | M3.0 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2013 | 13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico | M2.9 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico | M2.9 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Sep 6, 1991 | 8 km NNW of Mimbres, New Mexico | M2.8 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Jan 3, 2025 | 50 km NW of Tularosa, New Mexico | M2.8 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Feb 15, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.8 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.6 | 54 km | 5 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 46 km SE of Aragon, New Mexico | M2.6 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Mar 6, 2012 | 9 km E of Fort Bliss, Texas | M2.5 | 125 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 12, 1957 | EF3 | 94 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2006 | EF1 | 65 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1989 | EF1 | 39 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF1 | 91 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1971 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1959 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2011 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2007 | EF0 | 87 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2007 | EF0 | 87 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2007 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2006 | EF0 | 53 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 2002 | EF0 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2001 | EF0 | 55 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1988 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1987 | EF0 | 12 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1982 | EF0 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1981 | EF0 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1975 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (169 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 169 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLACK (328,091 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | BLACK | 328,091 | 86 km |
| 2013 | SILVER | 137,884 | 72 km |
| 2009 | DIAMOND | 32,021 | 99 km |
| 1995 | BONNER | 26,381 | 88 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 14,645 | 72 km |
| 2011 | ABRAMS | 12,786 | 72 km |
| 2009 | MEASON | 12,781 | 95 km |
| 2006 | SKATES | 11,285 | 100 km |
| 2001 | BENNETT MT | 10,249 | 63 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 9,423 | 88 km |
| 1989 | DIVIDE | 9,393 | 91 km |
| 1993 | UVAS | 8,541 | 12 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,496 | 61 km |
| 2010 | LONG CANYON | 6,656 | 74 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 6,555 | 100 km |
| 1999 | HERMOSA | 6,463 | 72 km |
| 2003 | SECO | 6,161 | 79 km |
| 2014 | SIGNAL | 5,904 | 96 km |
| 1994 | PIGEON | 5,208 | 80 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 5,191 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 0.7 in | |
| July | 83°F (29°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
Placitas CDP (Doña Ana County) has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 42°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and April the driest (0.2").