Weather & Climate in Velarde, NM

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

Velarde 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 6,352 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	6,352 ft (1,936 m)
Area	2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²)
Population Density	97/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1593°N, 105.9588°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Taos County County
Nearest Airport	Taos Regional (TSM) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.7"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 28.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.48"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

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

266 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	133 km	5 km
Mar 22, 2004	30 km S of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	126 km	5 km
Jan 3, 2007	8 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.4	139 km	5 km
Aug 1, 2004	31 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M4.3	110 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	5 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M4.2	71 km	13 km
Aug 10, 2005	20 km SSW of Segundo, Colorado	M4.1	135 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2009	32 km NNE of Cimarron, New Mexico	M4.1	123 km	5 km
Feb 6, 2016	Colorado	M4.0	137 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2011	20 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M4.0	139 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2023	19 km SSW of Weston, Colorado	M4.0	129 km	4 km
Aug 23, 2016	18 km SSW of Weston, CO	M3.9	129 km	4 km
Sep 16, 2011	26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.9	136 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2015	7 km WSW of Weston, Colorado	M3.9	140 km	1 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	129 km	5 km
Jan 18, 2010	30 km S of Segundo, Colorado	M3.8	128 km	5 km
Jul 4, 1995	23 km WSW of Springer, New Mexico	M3.8	103 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2015	25 km S of Sequndo, Colorado	M3.8	136 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2021	3 km E of Capulin, New Mexico	M3.7	73 km	10 km
Nov 20, 2009	29 km S of Stonewall Gap, Colorado	M3.7	119 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

33 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 13, 1982	EF1	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 21, 1973	EF1	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Dec 26, 1966	EF1	32 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 1, 2023	EF0	74 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 13, 2021	EF0	94 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 2, 2021	EF0	71 km	1.8 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	78 km	1.7 mi	0
Sep 1, 2018	EF0	88 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 9, 2018	EF0	73 km	2.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	61 km	3.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2017	EF0	90 km	0.0 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	58 km	0.3 mi	0
Oct 12, 2012	EF0	64 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 24, 2012	EF0	61 km	0.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF0	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 2008	EF0	65 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 9, 2007	EF0	83 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 3, 2007	EF0	76 km	0.3 mi	0
May 25, 1999	EF0	99 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	59 km
2011	LAS CONCHAS	150,874	53 km
2022	COOKS PEAK	61,195	89 km
2022	CERRO PELADO	45,620	66 km
2000	CERRO GRANDE	44,279	43 km
2018	UTE PARK	30,177	93 km
2006	CASA	27,452	99 km
2000	VIVEASH	22,468	60 km
2013	THOMPSON RIDGE	21,077	62 km
2006	OJO FELIZ	17,767	75 km
2006	RIVERA MESA	16,412	93 km
1996	DOME	15,783	58 km
1993	OJO	14,887	81 km
2002	CERRO PELON	13,015	83 km
2002	BORREGO	12,877	24 km
2010	SOUTH FORK	12,585	42 km
2020	LUNA	10,849	54 km
2011	PACHECO	9,790	38 km
2013	JAROSO	9,529	38 km
2018	EMILY	8,342	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	33°F (1°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	40°F (4°C)	0.7 in
April	46°F (8°C)	0.6 in
May	55°F (13°C)	0.9 in
June	65°F (18°C)	1.1 in
July	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
September	63°F (17°C)	1.6 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.1 in
November	39°F (4°C)	0.8 in
December	31°F (-1°C)	0.7 in

Velarde has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 27°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.6").

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