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Weather & Climate in Santa Cruz, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Santa Cruz 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 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 5,775 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.3°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 5,775 ft (1,760 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 363/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9940°N, 106.0358°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Los Alamos County County |
| Nearest Airport | Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
144 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.4.
| Mar 22, 2004 | 30 km S of Weston, Colorado | M4.4 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 1, 2004 | 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M4.3 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M4.2 | 69 km | 13 km |
| Jul 29, 2009 | 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico | M4.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2023 | 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M4.0 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Aug 23, 2016 | 18 km SSW of Weston, CO | M3.9 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Jan 18, 2010 | 30 km S of Segundo, Colorado | M3.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 1995 | 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico | M3.8 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2003 | 33 km S of Weston, Colorado | M3.8 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 19, 2019 | 15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 2009 | 29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado | M3.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2008 | 8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.7 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2021 | 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico | M3.7 | 71 km | 10 km |
| Jul 22, 1990 | 5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico | M3.7 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Feb 13, 2011 | 16 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2013 | 18 km S of Weston, Colorado | M3.6 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Apr 28, 2003 | 32 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 2017 | 17 km SSW of Weston, Colorado | M3.6 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Sep 14, 2009 | 7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico | M3.5 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 109 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
43 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 13, 1988 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1982 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1973 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1971 | EF1 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 26, 1966 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1956 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 2023 | EF0 | 73 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2021 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2021 | EF0 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2021 | EF0 | 74 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 2021 | EF0 | 59 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2018 | EF0 | 90 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2018 | EF0 | 41 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 39 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 12, 2012 | EF0 | 52 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2012 | EF0 | 42 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2009 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2008 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HERMITS PEAK (352,046 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HERMITS PEAK | 352,046 | 58 km |
| 2011 | LAS CONCHAS | 150,874 | 38 km |
| 2022 | CERRO PELADO | 45,620 | 49 km |
| 2000 | CERRO GRANDE | 44,279 | 28 km |
| 2000 | VIVEASH | 22,468 | 51 km |
| 2013 | THOMPSON RIDGE | 21,077 | 48 km |
| 2006 | OJO FELIZ | 17,767 | 82 km |
| 1996 | DOME | 15,783 | 40 km |
| 1993 | OJO | 14,887 | 88 km |
| 2002 | CERRO PELON | 13,015 | 91 km |
| 2002 | BORREGO | 12,877 | 22 km |
| 2010 | SOUTH FORK | 12,585 | 35 km |
| 2020 | LUNA | 10,849 | 66 km |
| 2011 | PACHECO | 9,790 | 27 km |
| 2013 | JAROSO | 9,529 | 34 km |
| 1996 | HONDO | 8,258 | 82 km |
| 2017 | BONITA | 7,754 | 66 km |
| 2017 | HONDITO | 6,949 | 68 km |
| 2003 | CAPULIN | 6,155 | 23 km |
| 2013 | TRES LAGUNAS | 5,832 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 0.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in |
Santa Cruz has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 32°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and February the driest (0.4").