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Weather & Climate in Sanostee, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanostee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,910 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.1°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,910 ft (1,801 m) |
| Area | 4.5 sq mi (11.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 57/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.4305°N, 108.8630°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | San Juan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 5.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Jun 6, 2008 | 10 km NE of Bluff, Utah | M3.6 | 116 km | 12 km |
| Jun 25, 1991 | 10 km W of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah | M3.4 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Feb 24, 1993 | 16 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 149 km | -1 km |
| May 13, 1993 | 19 km SSE of Monticello, Utah | M3.1 | 146 km | -3 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 1992 | 26 km NNW of Mexican Hat, Utah | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Oljato-Monument Valley, Utah | M3.0 | 140 km | -1 km |
| Sep 13, 1996 | 10 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.9 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 39 km | 14 km |
| Mar 8, 1994 | 15 km NW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.8 | 143 km | -3 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 1994 | 8 km NNW of Kayenta, Arizona | M2.7 | 135 km | -2 km |
| Sep 23, 1995 | 4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona | M2.7 | 57 km | 8 km |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona | M2.6 | 93 km | 13 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 92 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 143 km | 11 km |
| Jul 16, 2022 | 11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona | M2.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Aug 25, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona | M2.5 | 53 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 10, 1957 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1999 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2022 | EF0 | 99 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2020 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2013 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2013 | EF0 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2011 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2010 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2010 | EF0 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1990 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1963 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 1957 | EF0 | 98 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (197 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 197 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIRCHER (23,317 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | BIRCHER | 23,317 | 97 km |
| 2020 | WOOD SPRINGS 2 | 13,208 | 72 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 44 km |
| 1986 | WESTTOE | 5,397 | 80 km |
| 1986 | HOGAN | 5,298 | 88 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,224 | 90 km |
| 1996 | CHAPIN 5 | 4,832 | 97 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 51 km |
| 2002 | CARRIZO 1 | 3,701 | 48 km |
| 2005 | HOOK LAKE | 3,609 | 29 km |
| 1984 | FERNANDO | 3,419 | 85 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 73 km |
| 2004 | TURKEY SPRING | 3,017 | 47 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 44 km |
| 1987 | AZTECTHREE | 2,857 | 72 km |
| 1989 | LONG MESA | 2,660 | 95 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 64 km |
| 2002 | LONG MESA | 2,599 | 92 km |
| 2005 | TRAIL EAST | 2,369 | 98 km |
| 2003 | MOCCASIN | 2,305 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.1 in |
Sanostee has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.6") and June the driest (0.4").