Weather & Climate in Sunlit Hills, NM

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

Sunlit Hills experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°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 14.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.1 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 7,116 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.1°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,116 ft (2,169 m)
Area	3.8 sq mi (9.7 km²)
Population Density	237/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5957°N, 105.9210°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Santa Fe County County
Nearest Airport	Santa Fe Regional (SAF) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 14.7"

61% below US avg

Snowfall 28.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.15"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.63"

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

51 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	102 km	13 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	123 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	104 km	10 km
Jun 4, 2008	8 km ENE of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.7	109 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	85 km	10 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	119 km	5 km
Oct 20, 2016	3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico	M3.5	140 km	5 km
Oct 17, 2011	3 km SE of Cuyamungue, New Mexico	M3.5	29 km	5 km
Sep 10, 2024	7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.5	88 km	6 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	5 km
Sep 14, 2009	7 km NNW of Canjilon, New Mexico	M3.5	116 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	120 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	118 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.4	118 km	5 km
Apr 9, 2021	2 km NNE of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.3	107 km	5 km
Mar 24, 1996	8 km WNW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.3	149 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2024	8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico	M3.2	92 km	5 km
Apr 29, 2025	5 km WNW of Veguita, New Mexico	M3.1	143 km	10 km
Sep 29, 2017	17 km S of Mora, New Mexico	M3.1	59 km	5 km
Jun 14, 2018	0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico	M3.0	115 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

61 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	57 km	5.0 mi	0
Sep 13, 1988	EF1	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	65 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	8 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	31 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 1965	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 20, 1956	EF1	54 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	63 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 2021	EF0	68 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	33 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	76 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	37 km	1.7 mi	0
Aug 15, 2020	EF0	86 km	0.0 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	36 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	46 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	12 km	0.3 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	70 km	4.9 mi	0
Jul 17, 2016	EF0	87 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	54 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	55 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	55 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	50 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	32 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	66 km
2016	DOG HEAD	19,816	90 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	91 km
1996	DOME	15,783	45 km
1993	OJO	14,887	94 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	98 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	45 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	69 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	87 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	30 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	40 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	89 km
2011	MILAGRO	7,102	97 km
2003	CAPULIN	6,155	32 km
2013	TRES LAGUNAS	5,832	27 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	0.9 in
February	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
March	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
April	47°F (8°C)	0.6 in	Driest
May	56°F (13°C)	1.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	1.3 in
July	71°F (22°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
September	62°F (16°C)	2.1 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in
December	31°F (-0°C)	1.1 in	Coldest

Sunlit Hills has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 31°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.2") and April the driest (0.6").

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