Weather & Climate in Ruidoso, NM

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

Ruidoso 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 6,840 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	6,840 ft (2,085 m)
Area	16.1 sq mi (41.8 km²)
Population Density	477/sq mi
Coordinates	33.3495°N, 105.6688°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.0"

42% below US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.53"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.67"

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

93 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	149 km	4 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	129 km	1 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	142 km	5 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	138 km	5 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	135 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	127 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	108 km	5 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	136 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	142 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	110 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	133 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	137 km	9 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	139 km	5 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	138 km	2 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	81 km	0 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	141 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	126 km	1 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	107 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	138 km	5 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	142 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: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	52 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	47 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	45 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	59 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	30 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	8 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	39 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	51 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	90 km	0.9 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	66 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	65 km	0.6 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	30 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	45 km	4.1 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	86 km	2.4 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	75 km	4.7 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (54 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	54 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	34 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	41 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	13 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	50 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	93 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	78 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	55 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	67 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	73 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	73 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	24 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	30 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	50 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	65 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	54 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	56 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	73 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	71 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	22 km
2009	FRESQUEZ 2	11,512	48 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.2 in
February	34°F (1°C)	1.1 in
March	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	0.7 in	Driest
May	53°F (12°C)	1.1 in
June	62°F (17°C)	1.8 in
July	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	63°F (17°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
September	58°F (14°C)	2.9 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.6 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
December	33°F (1°C)	1.6 in	Coldest

Ruidoso has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 33°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (0.7").

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