Weather & Climate in Carrizozo, NM

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

Carrizozo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°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 13.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,543 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	56.2°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,543 ft (1,690 m)
Area	8.4 sq mi (21.7 km²)
Population Density	115/sq mi
Coordinates	33.6433°N, 105.8411°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.4"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 7.0"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.64"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	79.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.5 / 100
Community Resilience	7.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

66 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.

Jan 29, 1990	6 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.5	132 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	130 km	6 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	130 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	77 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	134 km	10 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	130 km	7 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	77 km	5 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	131 km	7 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	106 km	5 km
May 24, 2004	8 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.5	134 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	146 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	105 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	103 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	59 km	0 km
May 1, 2025	14 km NW of Alamillo, New Mexico	M3.5	134 km	13 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	112 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	76 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.4	105 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	64 km	10 km
Jul 31, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.3	130 km	8 km

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

Tornado History

41 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	79 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	43 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	66 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	84 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 1, 1989	EF1	99 km	5.0 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	38 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	30 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	44 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	66 km	0.9 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	68 km	0.5 mi	0
May 17, 2021	EF0	96 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	92 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	97 km	4.2 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	10 km	0.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	90 km	2.6 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	78 km	4.1 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	60 km	2.4 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (17 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	17 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DONALDSON (103,326 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	DONALDSON	103,326	64 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	46 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	24 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	87 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	61 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	83 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	96 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	55 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	63 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	54 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	90 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	40 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	60 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	63 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	57 km
2009	FRESQUEZ 2	11,512	69 km
1994	BLACK	10,695	98 km
1989	BURGETTE	10,576	98 km
2011	WHITE	10,124	40 km
2011	LINCOLNCANYON COMPLX	10,005	84 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	0.6 in
March	48°F (9°C)	0.7 in
April	55°F (13°C)	0.4 in	Driest
May	64°F (18°C)	0.7 in
June	73°F (23°C)	1.0 in
July	75°F (24°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.6 in	Wettest
September	68°F (20°C)	1.7 in
October	58°F (14°C)	1.2 in
November	46°F (8°C)	0.8 in
December	39°F (4°C)	0.9 in

Carrizozo has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 37°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.6") and April the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Carrizozo, NM →