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Weather & Climate in Sheep Springs, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sheep Springs 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 5,774 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 | 5,774 ft (1,760 m) |
| Area | 5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 72/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1592°N, 108.6905°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | San Juan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 48 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
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2017 | 4 km SSW of Bluff, Utah | M3.7 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 56 km | 14 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 1995 | 4 km E of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona | M2.7 | 91 km | 8 km |
| Mar 6, 2023 | 17 km ENE of Chilchinbito, Arizona | M2.6 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 108 km | 5 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 112 km | 11 km |
| Jul 16, 2022 | 11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona | M2.5 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Aug 25, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona | M2.5 | 82 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 10, 1957 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 2020 | EF0 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 2015 | EF0 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2013 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 10, 2013 | EF0 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2010 | EF0 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2000 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1990 | EF0 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1963 | EF0 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (164 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 164 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WOOD SPRINGS 2 (13,208 acres, 2020).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2020 | WOOD SPRINGS 2 | 13,208 | 64 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 20 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 24 km |
| 2002 | CARRIZO 1 | 3,701 | 81 km |
| 2005 | HOOK LAKE | 3,609 | 24 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 59 km |
| 2004 | TURKEY SPRING | 3,017 | 46 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 95 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 20 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 53 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 67 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 67 km |
| 2011 | CATTAIL CANYON JACKPOT BURN | 1,801 | 45 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE 2 | 1,738 | 82 km |
| 2001 | 9400 FMZ | 1,312 | 58 km |
| 2005 | OAK RIDGE | 1,309 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 0.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 1.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in |
Sheep Springs has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 11.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.8") and June the driest (0.4").