Weather & Climate in Rio Chiquito, NM

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

Rio Chiquito experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 71°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 12.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.2 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 6,736 feet.

Temperature

30°F Jan (-1°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	50.0°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	30°F (-1°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,736 ft (2,053 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density	195/sq mi
Coordinates	35.9949°N, 105.9069°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Santa Fe County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.8"

66% below US avg

Snowfall 20.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.76"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.3 / 100
Community Resilience	33.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

239 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	143 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	134 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	150 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	121 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	80 km	13 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	144 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	131 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	148 km	2 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	139 km	4 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	148 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	140 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	144 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2015	25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.8	144 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	102 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2003	33 km S of Weston, Colorado	M3.8	129 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	136 km	5 km
May 19, 2019	15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.8	140 km	5 km
Jan 7, 2015	27 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.7	143 km	4 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	82 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2017	14 km SW of Weston, Colorado	M3.7	144 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

44 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	39 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	16 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	96 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	62 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	98 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	76 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	63 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	65 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	82 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	49 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	77 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	41 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	97 km	2.8 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	46 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	43 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2009	EF0	91 km	0.9 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	70 km	0.1 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	47 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	49 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	90 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	59 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	39 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	99 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	43 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	60 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	71 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	93 km
1996	DOME	15,783	49 km
1993	OJO	14,887	76 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	80 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	10 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	47 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	56 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	19 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	23 km
2018	EMILY	8,342	91 km
1996	HONDO	8,258	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	30°F (-1°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in	Driest
March	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
April	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
May	55°F (13°C)	0.9 in
June	65°F (18°C)	1.2 in
July	71°F (21°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
September	62°F (17°C)	1.8 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.1 in
November	39°F (4°C)	0.8 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	0.8 in

Rio Chiquito has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 30°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.7").

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