Weather & Climate in South Valley, NM

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

South Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 78°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 9.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,944 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	56.9°F
	5% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,944 ft (1,507 m)
Area	30.1 sq mi (77.9 km²)
Population Density	1,262/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0086°N, 106.6822°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Bernalillo County County
Nearest Airport	Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) 5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 9.7"

75% below US avg

Snowfall 6.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.85"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

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

96 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	63 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	64 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	136 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	65 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	118 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	89 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	65 km	10 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	136 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	63 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	111 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	65 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	68 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	39 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	70 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	114 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	71 km	5 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	79 km	13 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	64 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	25 km	6 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	72 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

64 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	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	37 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	72 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	32 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	35 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	47 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	34 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	66 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	80 km	0.9 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	66 km	1.7 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	26 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	78 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	23 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	55 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	87 km	2.6 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	87 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	83 km	3.8 mi	0
Sep 30, 2017	EF0	46 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 (122 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	122 km
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	153 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	99 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	85 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	99 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	39 km
1996	DOME	15,783	89 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	45 km
2009	BLACK BUTTE	8,124	71 km
2019	TRIPLE NICKLE	7,819	86 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	52 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	52 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	41 km
2017	NMSER FY17 RX #1	4,817	70 km
2014	PINO	4,415	82 km
2008	LADRONE RX	4,406	73 km
2002	LAKES	4,306	97 km
2002	MIDDLE TANK	4,279	70 km
2019	NMSER-FY18-RX-NORTH DIAMOND	4,261	71 km
2018	VENADO	4,007	87 km
1999	LA JARA	3,249	93 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,632	84 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.6 in
February	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	47°F (8°C)	0.6 in
April	54°F (12°C)	0.5 in
May	63°F (17°C)	0.6 in
June	73°F (23°C)	0.6 in
July	78°F (26°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
September	68°F (20°C)	1.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	1.1 in
November	44°F (7°C)	0.6 in
December	36°F (2°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

South Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 36°F in December to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and February the driest (0.5").

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