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Weather & Climate in Clayton, NM

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

Clayton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 36°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 16.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.3 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 4,956 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average54.3°F
1% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation4,956 ft (1,511 m)
Area0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Population Density343/sq mi
Coordinates36.4460°N, 103.1489°W
TimezoneAmerica/Denver
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportSoutheast Colorado Regional (LAA)
115 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.1"
58% below US avg
Snowfall 22.3"
Wettest Month (Jul) 2.76"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score12.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability83.7 / 100
Community Resilience10.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Aug 22, 2011 9 km SSW of Starkville, Colorado M4.7 141 km 5 km
Sep 16, 2011 26 km S of Sequndo, Colorado M3.9 150 km 5 km
Mar 19, 2023 4 km WNW of Hoehne, Colorado M3.8 148 km 6 km
Mar 17, 2022 13 km SSW of Clayton, New Mexico M3.8 15 km 5 km
Aug 1, 1996 17 km NE of Hoehne, Colorado M3.8 144 km 5 km
Sep 5, 2001 3 km SSE of Cokedale, Colorado M3.7 150 km 5 km
Jun 19, 2002 19 km NE of Clayton, New Mexico M3.7 17 km 5 km
Feb 18, 2006 17 km WNW of Fritch, Texas M3.5 149 km 5 km
Sep 6, 2001 3 km E of Cokedale, Colorado M3.5 149 km 5 km
Mar 25, 1996 25 km WSW of Channing, Texas M3.5 105 km 5 km
Mar 31, 2022 8 km S of Clayton, New Mexico M3.4 8 km 5 km
Jan 10, 2005 13 km S of Valdez, Colorado M3.4 150 km 5 km
Sep 10, 2001 4 km SSE of Cokedale, Colorado M3.4 149 km 5 km
Sep 29, 1993 30 km NNE of Nara Visa, New Mexico M3.3 66 km 5 km
Feb 4, 2010 23 km N of Adrian, Texas M3.3 117 km 2 km
Jan 6, 2014 31 km E of Logan, New Mexico M3.3 126 km 5 km
Nov 30, 1993 29 km NNE of Nara Visa, New Mexico M3.3 66 km 5 km
Apr 27, 1998 14 km SW of Boys Ranch, Texas M3.2 130 km 5 km
Nov 1, 1996 15 km ENE of Hoehne, Colorado M3.2 139 km 5 km
May 10, 2021 13 km W of Channing, Texas M3.2 105 km 3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

201 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 18, 1977 EF4 71 km 38.6 mi 0
May 31, 2010 EF2 85 km 9.2 mi 0
May 31, 2010 EF2 97 km 2.8 mi 0
May 23, 2010 EF2 38 km 8.8 mi 0
May 23, 2010 EF2 10 km 22.0 mi 0
May 18, 1977 EF2 94 km 16.1 mi 0
May 10, 1972 EF2 86 km 1.0 mi 0
May 10, 1972 EF2 85 km 1.0 mi 0
May 10, 1972 EF2 70 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 8, 1971 EF2 72 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1971 EF2 72 km 2.0 mi 0
Apr 19, 1971 EF2 43 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 19, 1971 EF2 72 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 19, 1971 EF2 52 km 7.2 mi 0
Sep 18, 1965 EF2 12 km 5.1 mi 0
Jun 5, 1961 EF2 31 km 28.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 2023 EF1 98 km 8.4 mi 0
May 16, 2016 EF1 36 km 0.9 mi 0
May 23, 2010 EF1 42 km 9.3 mi 0
May 23, 2010 EF1 62 km 5.7 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GLADSTONE (44,125 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 GLADSTONE 44,125 79 km
2018 STATELINE 28,533 60 km
2022 MITCHELL 23,220 83 km
2011 RABBIT EAR 21,569 12 km
2005 GLADSTONE 16,794 71 km
2011 296 16,769 53 km
1999 UNNAMED 16,755 97 km
2006 CLAPHAM 14,696 38 km
2011 BRITT 13,980 80 km
2006 VAN MEYER FIRE 13,011 88 km
2011 PRITCHARD 11,547 48 km
2006 UNNAMED 10,795 74 km
1989 LIBBY 10,695 73 km
1996 FARLEY 10,456 89 km
2002 FURNISH 8,862 69 km
1996 RABBIT 8,457 14 km
1988 UNNAMED 8,454 69 km
2006 FERGUSON 8,226 43 km
2016 CLAVEL 7,115 77 km
2006 UNION 7,051 51 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 36°F (2°C) 0.3 in Driest
February 37°F (3°C) 0.3 in
March 44°F (7°C) 0.7 in
April 52°F (11°C) 1.0 in
May 61°F (16°C) 2.1 in
June 70°F (21°C) 2.2 in
July 75°F (24°C) 2.8 in Warmest, Wettest
August 73°F (23°C) 2.6 in
September 65°F (19°C) 1.7 in
October 55°F (13°C) 0.9 in
November 43°F (6°C) 0.6 in
December 35°F (2°C) 0.3 in Coldest

Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 35°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.3").

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