Weather & Climate in Rio Rancho Estates, NM

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

Rio Rancho Estates enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 80°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 9.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,002 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	58.0°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,002 ft (1,829 m)
Area	68.4 sq mi (177.0 km²)
Population Density	24/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3004°N, 106.7985°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.5"

75% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.01"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	43.6 / 100
Community Resilience	41.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

96 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	93 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	95 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	103 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	95 km	10 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	70 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	104 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	140 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	89 km	10 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	145 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	95 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	94 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	100 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	56 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	102 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	107 km	13 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	69 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	93 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	9 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	104 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	142 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

62 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	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	32 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	85 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	20 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	84 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	96 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	67 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	24 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	56 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	20 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	67 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	50 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	59 km	0.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	12 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	88 km	0.4 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	78 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	86 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	63 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	52 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	40 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (123 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	123 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	187 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	72 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	58 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	80 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	69 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	68 km
1996	DOME	15,783	65 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	78 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	92 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	68 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	86 km
1998	OSO	5,297	91 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	86 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	72 km
2014	PINO	4,415	52 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	99 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	65 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	54 km
2014	DIEGO	3,983	86 km
1999	LA JARA	3,249	77 km
2003	SANFRANCISCO	2,292	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.7 in
February	40°F (4°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
April	53°F (12°C)	0.6 in
May	62°F (17°C)	0.7 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.6 in
July	80°F (27°C)	1.6 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	2.0 in	Wettest
September	68°F (20°C)	1.3 in
October	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
November	43°F (6°C)	0.7 in
December	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Rio Rancho Estates has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 35°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.0") and February the driest (0.6").

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