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Weather & Climate in Taos Ski Valley, NM

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

Taos Ski Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 323 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 22.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 156.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 10,826 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 58°F Jul (15°C)
Annual Average39.1°F
28% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average58°F (15°C)
Sunny Days323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation10,826 ft (3,300 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density14/sq mi
Coordinates36.5900°N, 105.4369°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyTaos County County
Nearest AirportTaos Regional (TSM)
16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.0"
42% below US avg
Snowfall 156.7"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.17"
Driest Month (Jan) 1.61"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score74.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability89.2 / 100
Community Resilience36.1 / 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

361 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 84 km 4 km
Aug 10, 2005 20 km S of Weston, Colorado M5.0 67 km 5 km
Aug 22, 2011 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado M4.7 93 km 5 km
Sep 5, 2001 0 km SE of Cokedale, Colorado M4.5 95 km 5 km
Jan 3, 2007 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado M4.4 72 km 5 km
Mar 22, 2004 30 km S of Weston, Colorado M4.4 60 km 5 km
Aug 1, 2004 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado M4.3 43 km 5 km
Mar 10, 2023 6 km NNE of Segundo, Colorado M4.3 90 km 6 km
Jul 12, 2021 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M4.2 124 km 13 km
Jul 29, 2009 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico M4.1 59 km 5 km
Jun 19, 2023 Colorado M4.1 117 km 6 km
Aug 10, 2005 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado M4.1 68 km 5 km
Aug 23, 2011 7 km S of Valdez, Colorado M4.0 84 km 5 km
Sep 4, 2001 2 km W of Cokedale, Colorado M4.0 93 km 5 km
Sep 13, 2011 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M4.0 73 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2023 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado M4.0 62 km 4 km
Feb 6, 2016 Colorado M4.0 70 km 2 km
Sep 16, 2011 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M3.9 70 km 5 km
Aug 23, 2016 18 km SSW of Weston, CO M3.9 62 km 4 km
Mar 10, 2023 5 km N of Sequndo, Colorado M3.9 90 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

42 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 77 km 3.0 mi 1
Jul 31, 1955 EF3 93 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 25, 1996 EF2 47 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 1953 EF2 82 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 17, 1992 EF1 73 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 10, 1983 EF1 98 km 0.5 mi 0
May 5, 1980 EF1 71 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 1, 1977 EF1 76 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1973 EF1 70 km 0.1 mi 0
Dec 26, 1966 EF1 95 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 16, 1965 EF1 100 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 1, 2023 EF0 90 km 1.3 mi 0
Jun 2, 2021 EF0 73 km 1.8 mi 0
May 31, 2021 EF0 87 km 3.5 mi 0
May 28, 2021 EF0 78 km 0.5 mi 0
May 28, 2021 EF0 78 km 0.6 mi 0
Sep 1, 2018 EF0 40 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 9, 2018 EF0 15 km 2.3 mi 0
Jun 8, 2014 EF0 78 km 1.4 mi 0
Jun 8, 2014 EF0 93 km 2.8 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 82 km
2002 PONIL COMPLEX 89,084 36 km
2022 COOKS PEAK 61,195 54 km
2018 UTE PARK 30,177 37 km
2006 CASA 27,452 53 km
2002 SPRING 24,044 62 km
2000 VIVEASH 22,468 99 km
2006 OJO FELIZ 17,767 61 km
2006 RIVERA MESA 16,412 58 km
1993 OJO 14,887 66 km
2002 CERRO PELON 13,015 65 km
2002 BORREGO 12,877 74 km
2020 LUNA 10,849 41 km
2011 PACHECO 9,790 89 km
2013 JAROSO 9,529 80 km
2006 LEVI 9,491 85 km
2018 EMILY 8,342 83 km
1996 HONDO 8,258 15 km
2000 DIAMOND 7,866 88 km
2017 BONITA 7,754 64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 21°F (-6°C) 1.6 in Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 1.9 in Coldest
March 24°F (-4°C) 2.6 in
April 30°F (-1°C) 1.9 in
May 39°F (4°C) 2.0 in
June 48°F (9°C) 2.1 in
July 58°F (15°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 52°F (11°C) 4.2 in Wettest
September 47°F (8°C) 2.5 in
October 38°F (3°C) 2.1 in
November 28°F (-3°C) 1.9 in
December 21°F (-6°C) 1.9 in

Taos Ski Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 21°F in February to 58°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (1.6").

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