Weather & Climate in Sandia Heights, NM

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

Sandia Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°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 14.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 23.7 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 6,166 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.3°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,166 ft (1,879 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	1,666/sq mi
Coordinates	35.1743°N, 106.4884°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.9"

61% below US avg

Snowfall 23.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.83"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.94"

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

101 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	87 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	87 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	119 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	88 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	136 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	100 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	58 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	120 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	149 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	87 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	129 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	88 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	74 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	63 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	84 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	76 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	78 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	103 km	13 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	87 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	27 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

66 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	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	53 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	55 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	14 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	70 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	89 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	57 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	8 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	26 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	16 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	42 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	99 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	48 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	41 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	94 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	23 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	77 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	92 km	2.6 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	60 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	68 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (144 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	144 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	163 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	78 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	65 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	83 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	80 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	40 km
1996	DOME	15,783	66 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	55 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	100 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	97 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	91 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	97 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	98 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	65 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	96 km
1998	OSO	5,297	95 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	65 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	47 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	89 km
2014	PINO	4,415	64 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
February	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
March	40°F (5°C)	1.3 in
April	47°F (9°C)	0.9 in	Driest
May	56°F (14°C)	1.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	1.0 in
July	76°F (24°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
September	62°F (16°C)	1.9 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.4 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
December	32°F (0°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Sandia Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in December to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and April the driest (0.9").

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