Weather & Climate in Sandia Park, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sandia Park experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. 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 Moderate with a median AQI of 61 / residents may notice occasional air quality concerns. 27% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 7,070 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,070 ft (2,155 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 525/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1648°N, 106.3657°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Bernalillo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 61.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 27.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 30 |
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
97 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 | 91 km | 12 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.4 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 123 km | 13 km |
| Jan 31, 1990 | 5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M4.0 | 92 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 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 150 km | 5 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 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Nov 15, 1990 | 4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 91 km | 7 km |
| Jan 4, 1998 | 5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.6 | 70 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2025 | 14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 108 km | 13 km |
| Sep 29, 2012 | 4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico | M3.5 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 38 km | 6 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 95 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2004 | 8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico | M3.5 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Dec 31, 1997 | 8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico | M3.5 | 73 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
69 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 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 10, 1974 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 8, 1989 | EF1 | 43 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 23 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1981 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1966 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1965 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 25 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 33 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2021 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 40 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 53 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2020 | EF0 | 35 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2020 | EF0 | 79 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 86 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 59 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (154 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 154 km |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 159 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 | 79 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 68 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 83 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 92 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 83 km |
| 2016 | DOG HEAD | 19,816 | 35 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 67 km |
| 2008 | TRIGO | 13,855 | 53 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 91 km |
| 2009 | BLACK BUTTE | 8,124 | 93 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 7,351 | 95 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 92 km |
| 2007 | OJO PEAK | 6,118 | 64 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 89 km |
| 1998 | OSO | 5,297 | 95 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 5,083 | 64 km |
| 2008 | BIG SPRING | 5,050 | 45 km |
| 2017 | NMSER FY17 RX #1 | 4,817 | 91 km |
| 2014 | PINO | 4,415 | 67 km |
| 2002 | LAKES | 4,306 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Sandia Park has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and June the driest (0.6").