Weather & Climate in Ponderosa Pine, NM

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

Ponderosa Pine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°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 13.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.9 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 7,600 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.4°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,600 ft (2,316 m)
Area	8.1 sq mi (20.9 km²)
Population Density	136/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9709°N, 106.3396°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Valencia County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.6"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 17.9"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.60"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.75"

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

93 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	75 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	75 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	145 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	75 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	119 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	146 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	34 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	48 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	74 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	108 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	76 km	7 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	54 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	49 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	50 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	76 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	92 km	13 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	52 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	101 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	104 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

77 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	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	69 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	42 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	41 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	47 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	26 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	43 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	46 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	80 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	39 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	61 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	72 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	45 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	62 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 17, 2019	EF0	90 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	90 km	4.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	66 km	2.6 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (138 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	138 km
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	153 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	89 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	14 km
1996	DOME	15,783	88 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	32 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	74 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	90 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	43 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	42 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	23 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	71 km
2004	LOOKOUT	4,778	94 km
2014	PINO	4,415	89 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	89 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	71 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	73 km
2017	BULLDOG	2,807	86 km
2018	EAST ROWE MESA RX BP	2,734	80 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,632	70 km
2006	LUCY	2,550	76 km
2021	EAST ROWE MESA - TWO PINES RX	2,425	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
March	43°F (6°C)	1.0 in
April	50°F (10°C)	0.8 in	Driest
May	58°F (15°C)	0.9 in
June	68°F (20°C)	0.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	1.7 in
October	53°F (11°C)	1.4 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	33°F (1°C)	1.0 in

Ponderosa Pine has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and April the driest (0.8").

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