Weather & Climate in Ponderosa, NM

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

Ponderosa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.8 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 6,200 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	52.1°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,200 ft (1,890 m)
Area	9.1 sq mi (23.6 km²)
Population Density	28/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6555°N, 106.6545°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Sandoval County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 22.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.60"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	77.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	59.0 / 100
Community Resilience	41.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

78 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	134 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	135 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	64 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	136 km	10 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	88 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	65 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	108 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	99 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	135 km	7 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	136 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	130 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	148 km	13 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	133 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	49 km	6 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	65 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	134 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	100 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	83 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	110 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	71 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	94 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	42 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	61 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	64 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	40 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	66 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	34 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	97 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	51 km	0.0 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	64 km	0.2 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	32 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	91 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	35 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	55 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 13, 2016	EF0	71 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 2016	EF0	96 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 2015	EF0	78 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (155 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	155 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAS CONCHAS (150,874 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	32 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	18 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	41 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	96 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	28 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	95 km
1996	DOME	15,783	28 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	86 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	51 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	80 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	92 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	88 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	78 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	89 km
1998	OSO	5,297	51 km
2022	MIDNIGHT	5,293	96 km
2023	ALAMOSA RX UNIT 1 FY24	4,616	99 km
2014	PINO	4,415	11 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	25 km
2020	MEDIO	4,231	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	1.0 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
March	43°F (6°C)	1.1 in
April	50°F (10°C)	0.8 in	Driest
May	59°F (15°C)	1.0 in
June	69°F (20°C)	0.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
September	65°F (18°C)	1.7 in
October	53°F (12°C)	1.3 in
November	41°F (5°C)	1.0 in
December	33°F (1°C)	0.9 in

Ponderosa has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and April the driest (0.8").

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