Weather & Climate in Ranchos de Taos, NM

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

Ranchos de Taos 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 6,976 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	6,976 ft (2,126 m)
Area	3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
Population Density	665/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3619°N, 105.6016°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.7"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 28.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.48"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

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

357 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	112 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	95 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	120 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	123 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	101 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	87 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	72 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	119 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	104 km	13 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	84 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	145 km	6 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	96 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	112 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	121 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	100 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	90 km	4 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	99 km	2 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	96 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	91 km	4 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	119 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 48 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1964	EF3	93 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	88 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	93 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	88 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	70 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	57 km	1.8 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	92 km	0.6 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	61 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	34 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	98 km	3.8 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	89 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	91 km	1.4 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	96 km	1.1 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	59 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	92 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	61 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	57 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	82 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	55 km
2006	CASA	27,452	63 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	91 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	73 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	51 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	61 km
1996	DOME	15,783	96 km
1993	OJO	14,887	57 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	59 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	45 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	80 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	26 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	60 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	52 km
2006	LEVI	9,491	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
February	29°F (-1°C)	0.7 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.1 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
July	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
September	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Ranchos de Taos has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.7").

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