Weather & Climate in Raton, NM

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

Raton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°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 15.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.4 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 6,558 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	48.6°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,558 ft (1,999 m)
Area	8.0 sq mi (20.6 km²)
Population Density	755/sq mi
Coordinates	36.8850°N, 104.4396°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Colfax County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 75 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.1"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 25.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	58.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	95.1 / 100
Community Resilience	35.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively 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 Low
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

339 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	31 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	36 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	19 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	33 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	45 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	37 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	42 km	6 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	59 km	5 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	35 km	5 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	48 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	36 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	45 km	4 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	27 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	51 km	2 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	34 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	29 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	46 km	4 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	49 km	1 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	27 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	41 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

75 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 51 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1964	EF3	41 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	61 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1978	EF2	83 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	41 km	1.4 mi	0
Jun 6, 2014	EF1	30 km	8.6 mi	0
Jun 7, 1998	EF1	94 km	3.0 mi	0
May 25, 1993	EF1	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	49 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	62 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1983	EF1	23 km	0.5 mi	0
May 15, 1979	EF1	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	56 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1965	EF1	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 5, 1961	EF1	84 km	5.7 mi	0
Jun 17, 2023	EF0	93 km	2.0 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	47 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	47 km	0.6 mi	0
Jul 4, 2020	EF0	62 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 2019	EF0	90 km	2.1 mi	0
May 26, 2019	EF0	98 km	21.7 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SPRING CREEK (107,108 acres, 2018).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2018	SPRING CREEK	107,108	96 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	59 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	83 km
2008	BRIDGER	46,612	96 km
2006	GLADSTONE	44,125	98 km
2011	BEAR SPRINGS CALLIE MARIE	36,863	90 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	65 km
2011	TRACK	28,893	11 km
2006	CASA	27,452	67 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	50 km
2005	GLADSTONE	16,794	72 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	82 km
1996	FARLEY	10,456	72 km
2013	EAST PEAK	10,082	72 km
2006	LEVI	9,491	93 km
1988	UNNAMED	8,454	68 km
2006	FERGUSON	8,226	98 km
2002	JAMES AND JOHN	7,190	21 km
2006	UNION	7,051	83 km
2011	BEAR	6,585	24 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	32°F (-0°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	0.6 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	52°F (11°C)	2.0 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.9 in
July	68°F (20°C)	3.0 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	65°F (18°C)	3.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	49°F (9°C)	0.8 in
November	38°F (3°C)	0.6 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Raton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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