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Weather & Climate in Cliff, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cliff enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 38°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 14.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,573 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.6°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,573 ft (1,394 m) |
| Area | 10.3 sq mi (26.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 13/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.9660°N, 108.6176°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Grant County County |
| Nearest Airport | Safford Regional (SAD) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 88.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
69 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 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.9 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Jul 9, 2014 | 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 63 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 24 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2014 | 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 66 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 27 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Oct 8, 2012 | 32 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.6 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 136 km | 16 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 35 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.5 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2014 | Arizona | M3.5 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 10 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 64 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
8 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 12, 1957 | EF3 | 56 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1989 | EF1 | 28 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1979 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1967 | EF1 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2015 | EF0 | 94 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2007 | EF0 | 37 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF0 | 52 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 (144 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 144 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLACK (328,091 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | BLACK | 328,091 | 77 km |
| 2012 | WHITEWATER-BALDY | 306,923 | 40 km |
| 2013 | SILVER | 137,884 | 73 km |
| 2003 | DRY LAKE COMPLEX (DRY LAKES) | 113,956 | 34 km |
| 2021 | JOHNSON | 95,808 | 28 km |
| 2011 | MILLER | 84,760 | 36 km |
| 2005 | BLACK RANGE COMPLEX WFU | 74,273 | 65 km |
| 2023 | PASS | 66,071 | 57 km |
| 2003 | BOILER | 56,796 | 78 km |
| 2018 | BUZZARD | 50,934 | 82 km |
| 1993 | BRUSH | 39,349 | 33 km |
| 2002 | MIDDLE | 37,096 | 58 km |
| 2006 | BEAR | 34,703 | 51 km |
| 2020 | COW CANYON | 33,536 | 79 km |
| 2000 | CHANCE | 33,064 | 94 km |
| 2009 | DIAMOND | 32,021 | 69 km |
| 2023 | DIVIDE | 26,614 | 69 km |
| 1995 | BONNER | 26,381 | 73 km |
| 2020 | CUB | 24,489 | 41 km |
| 2021 | BEAR | 24,459 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 1.3 in |
Cliff has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 38°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.7") and April the driest (0.3").