Weather & Climate in Rio Rancho, NM

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

Rio Rancho enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 85°F in July. The area gets 349 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 10.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.3 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 5,512 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 85°F Jul (30°C)

Annual Average	56.8°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	85°F (30°C)
Sunny Days	349 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,512 ft (1,680 m)
Area	103.6 sq mi (268.4 km²)
Population Density	1,031/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2851°N, 106.6989°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.7"

72% below US avg

Snowfall 22.3"

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

99 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	94 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	105 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	95 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	149 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	79 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	106 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	80 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	93 km	7 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	94 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	94 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	142 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	68 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	64 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	96 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	142 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	107 km	13 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	10 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

64 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	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	38 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	76 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	11 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	77 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	91 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	65 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	11 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	58 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	56 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	43 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	10 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	86 km	0.4 mi	0
Feb 17, 2019	EF0	85 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	93 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	58 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	57 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	32 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 (130 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	130 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	182 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	70 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	56 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	77 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	69 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	60 km
1996	DOME	15,783	61 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	73 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	91 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	77 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	81 km
1998	OSO	5,297	89 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	81 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	66 km
2014	PINO	4,415	52 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	100 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	66 km
2020	MEDIO	4,231	97 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	56 km
2014	DIEGO	3,983	87 km
1999	LA JARA	3,249	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
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	85°F (30°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

Rio Rancho has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 33°F in January to 85°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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