Weather & Climate in Truchas, NM

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

Truchas experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 16 / among the cleanest air in the country. 97% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 8,007 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.3°F
3% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation8,007 ft (2,441 m)
Area6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
Population Density40/sq mi
Coordinates36.0367°N, 105.8125°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyTaos County County
Nearest AirportTaos Regional (TSM)
30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.2"
47% below US avg
Snowfall 10.7"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.90"
Driest Month (Jun) 0.85"

Air Quality

AQI Median16.0
RatingGood
Good Days %97.0%
Unhealthy Days0

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

264 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Aug 10, 2005 20 km S of Weston, Colorado M5.0 134 km 5 km
Mar 22, 2004 30 km S of Weston, Colorado M4.4 125 km 5 km
Jan 3, 2007 8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado M4.4 141 km 5 km
Aug 1, 2004 31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado M4.3 113 km 5 km
Jul 12, 2021 5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M4.2 87 km 13 km
Jul 29, 2009 32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico M4.1 122 km 5 km
Aug 10, 2005 20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado M4.1 135 km 5 km
Aug 26, 2023 19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado M4.0 131 km 4 km
Sep 13, 2011 20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M4.0 138 km 5 km
Feb 6, 2016 Colorado M4.0 140 km 2 km
Aug 20, 2015 7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado M3.9 143 km 1 km
Sep 16, 2011 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M3.9 134 km 5 km
Aug 23, 2016 18 km SSW of Weston, CO M3.9 131 km 4 km
Mar 20, 2015 25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M3.8 135 km 5 km
Jan 18, 2010 30 km S of Segundo, Colorado M3.8 127 km 5 km
Sep 13, 2003 33 km S of Weston, Colorado M3.8 120 km 5 km
May 19, 2019 15 km SSE of Stonewall Gap, Colorado M3.8 132 km 5 km
Jul 4, 1995 23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico M3.8 93 km 5 km
Jul 12, 2021 3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico M3.7 89 km 10 km
Nov 20, 2009 29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado M3.7 120 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

44 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 39 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 25, 1996 EF2 95 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 13, 1982 EF1 72 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 23, 1981 EF1 96 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 21, 1973 EF1 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 15, 1971 EF1 46 km 2.0 mi 0
Dec 26, 1966 EF1 25 km 0.3 mi 0
Oct 1, 2023 EF0 56 km 1.3 mi 0
Jul 13, 2021 EF0 83 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 2, 2021 EF0 55 km 1.8 mi 0
May 17, 2021 EF0 74 km 1.7 mi 0
Sep 1, 2018 EF0 98 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 9, 2018 EF0 72 km 2.3 mi 0
May 21, 2018 EF0 58 km 3.8 mi 0
Jul 6, 2017 EF0 85 km 0.0 mi 0
May 9, 2017 EF0 49 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 8, 2014 EF0 90 km 2.8 mi 0
Oct 12, 2012 EF0 47 km 5.8 mi 0
Jul 24, 2012 EF0 51 km 0.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 2009 EF0 98 km 0.9 mi 0
Jul 13, 2009 EF0 67 km 0.1 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 41 km
2011 LAS CONCHAS 150,874 58 km
2002 PONIL COMPLEX 89,084 99 km
2022 COOKS PEAK 61,195 80 km
2022 CERRO PELADO 45,620 69 km
2000 CERRO GRANDE 44,279 48 km
2018 UTE PARK 30,177 89 km
2006 CASA 27,452 92 km
2000 VIVEASH 22,468 42 km
2013 THOMPSON RIDGE 21,077 69 km
2006 OJO FELIZ 17,767 62 km
2006 RIVERA MESA 16,412 83 km
1996 DOME 15,783 59 km
1993 OJO 14,887 67 km
2002 CERRO PELON 13,015 71 km
2002 BORREGO 12,877 6 km
2010 SOUTH FORK 12,585 54 km
2020 LUNA 10,849 46 km
2011 PACHECO 9,790 21 km
2013 JAROSO 9,529 20 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (0°C) 1.8 in
February 38°F (3°C) 1.1 in
March 44°F (7°C) 1.6 in
April 51°F (11°C) 1.6 in
May 59°F (15°C) 1.2 in
June 69°F (20°C) 0.9 in Driest
July 74°F (23°C) 2.9 in Warmest, Wettest
August 71°F (22°C) 2.8 in
September 64°F (18°C) 1.6 in
October 52°F (11°C) 2.2 in
November 41°F (5°C) 1.2 in
December 31°F (-0°C) 1.3 in Coldest

Truchas has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 31°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.9") and June the driest (0.9").

View full profile of Truchas, NM →