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Weather & Climate in Columbus, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 83°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 10.3 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 4,069 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 64.8°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,069 ft (1,240 m) |
| Area | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 246/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 31.8274°N, 107.6423°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Luna County County |
| Nearest Airport | Las Cruces International (LRU) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 51.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 1.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 57 km | 4 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 101 km | 16 km |
| Apr 22, 2020 | 28 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 141 km | 21 km |
| Mar 29, 2024 | 51 km E of Ascención, Mexico | M3.4 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Aug 12, 2021 | 21 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico | M3.3 | 95 km | 18 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 37 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico | M3.3 | 105 km | 19 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 31 km SSW of Playas, New Mexico | M3.1 | 101 km | 17 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2015 | 35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico | M3.0 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.0 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2012 | 10 km NE of Fabens, Texas | M2.9 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico | M2.9 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Jan 27, 2013 | 13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico | M2.9 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.8 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2020 | 22 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico | M2.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 6, 1991 | 8 km NNW of Mimbres, New Mexico | M2.8 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Mar 29, 2024 | 50 km E of Ascención, Mexico | M2.7 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.6 | 53 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
10 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 9, 2006 | EF1 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1989 | EF1 | 66 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1971 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2015 | EF0 | 81 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2011 | EF0 | 84 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2007 | EF0 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2006 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1988 | EF0 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1975 | EF0 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 19, 1972 | EF0 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UVAS (8,541 acres, 1993).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1993 | UVAS | 8,541 | 92 km |
| 2009 | BIG HATCHET LC63 | 5,433 | 69 km |
| 2007 | NM113-MM19 | 4,626 | 91 km |
| 2022 | POTRILLO | 4,293 | 49 km |
| 1989 | GIAL I | 4,005 | 100 km |
| 2016 | COWBOY | 3,755 | 100 km |
| 1994 | GOODSIGHT | 3,450 | 76 km |
| 1990 | HILO-PEAK | 2,909 | 93 km |
| 2011 | GREEN CHILE | 2,323 | 91 km |
| 1997 | POT | 2,255 | 51 km |
| 2014 | 2 HL COOKES RANGE 1 EAST | 2,165 | 78 km |
| 2000 | JUG | 2,093 | 80 km |
| 1994 | REST AREA | 1,874 | 80 km |
| 2007 | EIGHT BALL | 1,826 | 95 km |
| 1993 | SHILOH | 1,764 | 75 km |
| 2001 | HORSE CANYON | 1,670 | 88 km |
| 2011 | HATCHITA | 1,592 | 66 km |
| 2007 | MM42-I10 | 1,414 | 86 km |
| 2009 | COOKES | 1,391 | 84 km |
| 1994 | TIMBER | 1,229 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| February | 49°F (9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 80°F (27°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 45°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.1") and April the driest (0.2").