Weather & Climate in Carlsbad, NM

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

Carlsbad enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°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 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,123 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	64.4°F
	19% above US avg
January Average	44°F (7°C)
July Average	84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,123 ft (952 m)
Area	31.8 sq mi (82.3 km²)
Population Density	1,005/sq mi
Coordinates	32.4008°N, 104.2410°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Eddy County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 63 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.6"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 2.7"

Wettest Month (Sep) 2.80"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	56.9 / 100
Community Resilience	12.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,053 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.

May 4, 2025	59 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M5.4	86 km	8 km
Feb 15, 2025	53 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M5.0	83 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2020	41 km W of Mentone, Texas	M5.0	78 km	10 km
Jul 21, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.9	82 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2025	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.7	81 km	4 km
Jun 1, 2022	53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	82 km	6 km
Mar 25, 2022	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	83 km	7 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	107 km	5 km
Aug 11, 2022	54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	82 km	7 km
Mar 17, 2021	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	84 km	6 km
Sep 1, 2022	38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas	M4.4	90 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2021	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.4	83 km	6 km
Jul 28, 2021	54 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M4.3	88 km	6 km
Mar 5, 2022	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	83 km	7 km
Jun 1, 2022	western Texas	M4.3	92 km	10 km
Jun 6, 2022	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	81 km	5 km
Jul 23, 2024	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	82 km	6 km
Feb 13, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	82 km	7 km
Feb 22, 2023	western Texas	M4.2	82 km	7 km
Mar 2, 2025	51 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	76 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	69 km	15.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	29 km	14.7 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	88 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1992	EF2	2 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 1992	EF2	85 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	88 km	17.5 mi	0
May 31, 1991	EF2	11 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF2	55 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	27 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	95 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 27, 1998	EF1	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 2, 1995	EF1	70 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 1995	EF1	82 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	58 km	8.0 mi	0
May 11, 1989	EF1	45 km	10.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 1988	EF1	89 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 5, 1981	EF1	2 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1979	EF1	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1974	EF1	91 km	2.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAST CHANCE (53,486 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LAST CHANCE	53,486	42 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	61 km
2011	LOOP	29,771	25 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	98 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	81 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	93 km
2009	238	24,831	88 km
1990	BIG	24,768	57 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	98 km
2006	BUCKEYE I	19,027	94 km
2011	ACREY	18,720	59 km
2010	CAVE WF INCIDENTS	17,648	44 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	97 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	90 km
2016	COYOTE	14,517	77 km
1993	JALTWO	13,332	84 km
1998	BURLESON	11,014	64 km
1994	UNNAMED	11,008	99 km
2010	CUTOFF	10,433	75 km
2008	483 FIRE	10,306	99 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (7°C)	0.4 in
February	48°F (9°C)	0.5 in
March	55°F (13°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
May	71°F (22°C)	1.2 in
June	79°F (26°C)	1.6 in
July	84°F (29°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	2.1 in
September	73°F (23°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
October	63°F (17°C)	1.2 in
November	51°F (11°C)	0.6 in
December	44°F (7°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Carlsbad has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 44°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.8") and March the driest (0.3").

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