All Countries
Weather & Climate in Thoreau, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thoreau experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°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 12.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.6 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 7,207 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7,207 ft (2,197 m) |
| Area | 15.9 sq mi (41.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 45/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4235°N, 108.2001°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | McKinley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 91 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 7 km WNW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.5 | 131 km | 6 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2009 | 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M3.4 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Sep 10, 2024 | 8 km WSW of Paradise Hills, New Mexico | M3.2 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 2018 | 3 km ESE of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Jun 14, 2018 | 0 km NW of Regina, New Mexico | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 140 km | 14 km |
| Jun 17, 2022 | 4 km NNW of Regina, New Mexico | M2.8 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Jul 17, 2009 | 17 km SSE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.8 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 33 km | 5 km |
| Nov 28, 2009 | 28 km SE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.7 | 104 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2011 | 27 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M2.7 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2023 | 7 km WSW of La Cueva, New Mexico | M2.6 | 142 km | 12 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 15 km SW of Santa Teresa, New Mexico | M2.6 | 146 km | 4 km |
| May 8, 2025 | 44 km SSW of San Rafael, New Mexico | M2.6 | 79 km | 8 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 48 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
6 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 34 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 17, 2019 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2018 | EF0 | 75 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2016 | EF0 | 97 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 20, 1957 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (72 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 72 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 143 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY (15,105 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | CHERRY | 15,105 | 65 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 89 km |
| 2018 | DIENER CANYON | 9,824 | 29 km |
| 2004 | SEDGWICK | 9,241 | 28 km |
| 2019 | TRIPLE NICKLE | 7,819 | 60 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 84 km |
| 2018 | BLUE WATER | 3,663 | 23 km |
| 1989 | COLLAPSE | 3,438 | 72 km |
| 2019 | REDONDO RX | 3,382 | 26 km |
| 1999 | LA JARA | 3,249 | 52 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 90 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 93 km |
| 1989 | MALPAIS | 2,300 | 67 km |
| 2004 | BROADCAST BLOCK 1 | 2,285 | 65 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 98 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 1,983 | 26 km |
| 2005 | KINLICHEE | 1,949 | 96 km |
| 1989 | HOYA | 1,869 | 61 km |
| 2023 | COPPERTAN RX 23 BLOCK 1 AND 2 | 1,850 | 29 km |
| 2000 | WALL | 1,751 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 0.7 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 2.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | Coldest |
Thoreau has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 28°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and June the driest (0.6").