Weather & Climate in Talpa, NM

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

Talpa experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 70°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 12.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 28.4 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 7,090 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	48.5°F
	10% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,090 ft (2,161 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density	860/sq mi
Coordinates	36.3401°N, 105.5922°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.7"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 28.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.48"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	74.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	89.2 / 100
Community Resilience	36.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

355 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Aug 23, 2011	6 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M5.3	113 km	4 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km S of Weston, Colorado	M5.0	96 km	5 km
Aug 22, 2011	9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado	M4.7	120 km	5 km
Sep 5, 2001	0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.5	125 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	102 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	88 km	5 km
Mar 10, 2023	6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado	M4.3	120 km	6 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	74 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	104 km	13 km
Jun 19, 2023	Colorado	M4.1	147 km	6 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	85 km	5 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	97 km	5 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	101 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	101 km	2 km
Aug 23, 2011	7 km S of Valdez, Colorado	M4.0	113 km	5 km
Sep 4, 2001	2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado	M4.0	123 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	92 km	4 km
Mar 10, 2023	5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	120 km	4 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	104 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	92 km	4 km

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

Tornado History

49 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 48 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1964	EF3	93 km	3.0 mi	1
Jul 25, 1996	EF2	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1953	EF2	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1992	EF1	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	89 km	0.1 mi	0
May 5, 1980	EF1	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1977	EF1	87 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	84 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	64 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	68 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	54 km	1.8 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	92 km	0.6 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	93 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	64 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	35 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	96 km	3.8 mi	0
Aug 9, 2017	EF0	99 km	0.3 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	88 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF0	90 km	1.4 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	56 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	91 km
2002	PONIL COMPLEX	89,084	62 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	56 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	82 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	55 km
2006	CASA	27,452	63 km
2002	SPRING	24,044	92 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	71 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	49 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	60 km
1996	DOME	15,783	95 km
1993	OJO	14,887	55 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	57 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	43 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	80 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	24 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	58 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	50 km
2006	LEVI	9,491	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
February	29°F (-1°C)	0.7 in	Driest
March	36°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	0.9 in
May	52°F (11°C)	1.1 in
June	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
July	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
September	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.2 in
November	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Talpa has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.7").

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