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Weather & Climate in San Rafael, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
San Rafael experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°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 9.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,806 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,806 ft (2,074 m) |
| Area | 10.3 sq mi (26.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 39/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0982°N, 107.9049°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Cibola County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
62 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 | 117 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 120 km | 6 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 120 km | 10 km |
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 43 km | 5 km |
| May 5, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 116 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 103 km | 6 km |
| Sep 23, 2009 | 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M3.4 | 71 km | 5 km |
| May 23, 2007 | 4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico | M3.4 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.3 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 102 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2011 | 40 km SSE of Datil, New Mexico | M3.2 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 2015 | 9 km SE of La Joya, New Mexico | M3.2 | 137 km | 6 km |
| Apr 6, 2011 | 17 km WNW of La Joya, New Mexico | M3.2 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jul 21, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.2 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 105 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
7 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 56 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 31 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 2017 | EF0 | 67 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1980 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1957 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (34 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 34 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 127 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY (15,105 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | CHERRY | 15,105 | 32 km |
| 2018 | DIENER CANYON | 9,824 | 20 km |
| 2004 | SEDGWICK | 9,241 | 20 km |
| 2019 | TRIPLE NICKLE | 7,819 | 42 km |
| 2018 | BLUE WATER | 3,663 | 23 km |
| 1989 | COLLAPSE | 3,438 | 36 km |
| 2019 | REDONDO RX | 3,382 | 28 km |
| 1999 | LA JARA | 3,249 | 32 km |
| 1989 | MALPAIS | 2,300 | 34 km |
| 2004 | BROADCAST BLOCK 1 | 2,285 | 41 km |
| 2007 | DOUBLE EAGLE | 2,281 | 96 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,983 | 25 km |
| 1989 | HOYA | 1,869 | 33 km |
| 2023 | COPPERTAN RX 23 BLOCK 1 AND 2 | 1,850 | 27 km |
| 2000 | WALL | 1,751 | 27 km |
| 2021 | COPPERTAN RX FY21 | 1,694 | 25 km |
| 2012 | COPPERTON | 1,583 | 25 km |
| 2014 | 2 MERTZ RX | 1,426 | 52 km |
| 2006 | FOREST UNIT | 1,408 | 63 km |
| 2014 | WHISKEY | 1,176 | 21 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.6 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
San Rafael has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 31°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and May the driest (0.5").