Weather & Climate in Stanley, NM

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

Stanley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 12.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 6,344 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	50.6°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,344 ft (1,934 m)
Area	6.2 sq mi (16.0 km²)
Population Density	5/sq mi
Coordinates	35.1542°N, 105.9763°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Santa Fe County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.1"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 22.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.60"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.3 / 100
Community Resilience	33.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively High
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Volcano	No Rating
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

95 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	113 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	112 km	6 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	138 km	13 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	113 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	145 km	5 km
May 18, 2023	8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico	M3.8	146 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	140 km	10 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	35 km	10 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	114 km	7 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	112 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	137 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	70 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	73 km	6 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	130 km	13 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	130 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	69 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	78 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	93 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	71 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	114 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

80 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	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 10, 1974	EF2	100 km	2.0 mi	1
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	11 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	55 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	80 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 5, 1966	EF1	85 km	0.2 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	20 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	95 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	57 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	20 km	0.2 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	78 km	0.0 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	51 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	70 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 2020	EF0	98 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 17, 2019	EF0	74 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	84 km	4.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (153 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	153 km
Zuni-Bandera	Volcanic field	2,550 m (8,366 ft)	-1170	189 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

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	93 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	89 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	83 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	89 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	70 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	97 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	45 km
1996	DOME	15,783	77 km
2008	TRIGO	13,855	64 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	94 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	79 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	87 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	61 km
2011	MILAGRO	7,102	79 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	81 km
2007	OJO PEAK	6,118	74 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	69 km
2008	UNNAMED	5,083	74 km
2008	BIG SPRING	5,050	56 km
2014	PINO	4,415	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	0.5 in
March	42°F (6°C)	0.5 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in
May	58°F (14°C)	0.9 in
June	67°F (20°C)	1.1 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
September	62°F (17°C)	1.7 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.2 in
November	40°F (5°C)	0.6 in
December	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in

Stanley has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and January the driest (0.5").

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