Weather & Climate in Ruidoso Downs, NM

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

Ruidoso Downs experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 328 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 22.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 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 6,440 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	50.1°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,440 ft (1,963 m)
Area	3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density	694/sq mi
Coordinates	33.3312°N, 105.5968°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.0"

42% below US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.29"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	79.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.5 / 100
Community Resilience	7.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

95 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Mar 28, 2010	25 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M4.1	143 km	4 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	129 km	5 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	135 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	122 km	1 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	132 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	121 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	115 km	5 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	130 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	126 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	116 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	147 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	88 km	0 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	9 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	143 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	145 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	120 km	1 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	2 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	98 km	10 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	123 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

53 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	59 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	54 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	46 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	49 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	61 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	12 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	45 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	54 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	97 km	0.9 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	62 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	66 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 3, 2019	EF0	94 km	1.4 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	34 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	38 km	4.1 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	87 km	2.4 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (59 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	59 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DONALDSON (103,326 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	DONALDSON	103,326	27 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	39 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	19 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	46 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	88 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	85 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	48 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	60 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	67 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	66 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	17 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	23 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	46 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	63 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	52 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	56 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	72 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	69 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	16 km
2009	FRESQUEZ 2	11,512	42 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
March	42°F (6°C)	1.0 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in	Driest
May	57°F (14°C)	1.1 in
June	65°F (19°C)	1.8 in
July	66°F (19°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
September	61°F (16°C)	2.8 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.5 in
November	41°F (5°C)	0.9 in
December	36°F (2°C)	1.4 in

Ruidoso Downs has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 35°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and April the driest (0.6").

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