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Weather & Climate in Buckhorn, NM

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

Buckhorn enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 75°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 16.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,739 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.5°F
5% above US avg
January Average40°F (5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,739 ft (1,444 m)
Area4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²)
Population Density18/sq mi
Coordinates33.0315°N, 108.6944°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyCatron County County
Nearest AirportSafford Regional (SAD)
56 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.6"
56% below US avg
Snowfall 1.8"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.95"
Driest Month (Apr) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score36.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability89.1 / 100
Community Resilience1.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane No Rating
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

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

Jun 29, 2014 13 km SW of Franklin, Arizona M5.3 67 km 6 km
Jun 29, 2014 12 km S of Franklin, Arizona M4.0 64 km 5 km
Jul 3, 2014 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.9 62 km 5 km
Jul 9, 2014 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.6 65 km 5 km
May 24, 2010 24 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona M3.6 58 km 5 km
Jul 10, 2014 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.6 68 km 5 km
May 24, 2010 27 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona M3.6 58 km 5 km
Oct 8, 2012 32 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico M3.6 63 km 5 km
Aug 5, 2021 24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico M3.6 143 km 16 km
Jul 12, 2014 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.6 68 km 5 km
Jun 29, 2014 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona M3.6 70 km 5 km
Jul 11, 2014 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona M3.6 58 km 5 km
Oct 29, 2012 35 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico M3.5 67 km 5 km
Jul 11, 2014 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona M3.5 66 km 5 km
Jul 6, 2014 Arizona M3.5 67 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2014 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona M3.5 72 km 5 km
Jun 29, 2014 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.5 63 km 5 km
Jun 29, 2014 10 km SW of Franklin, Arizona M3.4 64 km 5 km
Jan 25, 2015 9 km S of Franklin, Arizona M3.4 60 km 5 km
Apr 27, 2019 2 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona M3.4 56 km 10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

9 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Oct 12, 1957 EF3 66 km 8.2 mi 0
Aug 13, 1989 EF1 37 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 19, 1979 EF1 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 16, 1971 EF1 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1967 EF1 48 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 31, 2015 EF0 97 km 0.6 mi 0
Sep 6, 2007 EF0 46 km 3.1 mi 0
Aug 30, 2006 EF0 100 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 31, 1979 EF0 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Red Hill (136 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Red Hill Volcanic field 2,300 m (7,546 ft) -9450 136 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WALLOW (563,664 acres, 2011).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2011 WALLOW 563,664 100 km
2022 BLACK 328,091 81 km
2012 WHITEWATER-BALDY 306,923 34 km
2013 SILVER 137,884 80 km
2003 DRY LAKE COMPLEX (DRY LAKES) 113,956 33 km
2021 JOHNSON 95,808 27 km
2011 MILLER 84,760 38 km
2005 BLACK RANGE COMPLEX WFU 74,273 64 km
2023 PASS 66,071 57 km
2003 BOILER 56,796 80 km
2018 BUZZARD 50,934 76 km
1993 BRUSH 39,349 32 km
2002 MIDDLE 37,096 54 km
2006 BEAR 34,703 45 km
2020 COW CANYON 33,536 69 km
2000 CHANCE 33,064 92 km
2009 DIAMOND 32,021 72 km
2018 RATTLESNAKE 27,383 96 km
2023 DIVIDE 26,614 65 km
1995 BONNER 26,381 78 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 40°F (5°C) 1.1 in
February 43°F (6°C) 1.0 in
March 47°F (8°C) 0.9 in
April 53°F (12°C) 0.4 in Driest
May 61°F (16°C) 0.4 in
June 70°F (21°C) 0.6 in
July 75°F (24°C) 3.0 in Warmest, Wettest
August 73°F (23°C) 2.8 in
September 67°F (20°C) 2.1 in
October 57°F (14°C) 1.5 in
November 46°F (8°C) 0.9 in
December 40°F (4°C) 1.5 in Coldest

Buckhorn has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 40°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.0") and April the driest (0.4").

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