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Weather & Climate in Cotton City, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cotton City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°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 11.3 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 4,221 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.3°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,221 ft (1,287 m) |
| Area | 25.5 sq mi (66.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 9/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.1105°N, 108.8801°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Grant County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bisbee Douglas International (DUG) 61 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
71 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 | 59 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 12 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M4.0 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.9 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Oct 31, 1990 | 29 km E of Fronteras, Mexico | M3.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 65 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 24 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2014 | 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 52 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2010 | 27 km NNE of Morenci, Arizona | M3.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Oct 8, 2012 | 32 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 9, 2014 | 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 44 km | 16 km |
| Apr 22, 2020 | 28 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 62 km | 21 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2014 | Arizona | M3.5 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 35 km WNW of Glenwood, New Mexico | M3.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 9 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 57 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
15 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 12, 1957 | EF3 | 88 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2019 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1979 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1971 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1967 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1961 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2015 | EF0 | 44 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2007 | EF0 | 70 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 2005 | EF0 | 27 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1992 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1990 | EF0 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF0 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 1972 | EF0 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1966 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1961 | EF0 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HORSESHOE 2 (226,079 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | HORSESHOE 2 | 226,079 | 44 km |
| 2009 | PASCO | 104,011 | 81 km |
| 2018 | OK BAR | 60,456 | 69 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 38,998 | 81 km |
| 2018 | SAN LUIS | 36,237 | 90 km |
| 1994 | FLAT COMPLEX | 34,859 | 72 km |
| 2011 | CLOVERDALE2 | 33,552 | 85 km |
| 2002 | WALNUT | 30,388 | 64 km |
| 1989 | GRAY | 28,758 | 61 km |
| 1993 | LINCH | 27,546 | 73 km |
| 1994 | RATTLESNAKE | 25,238 | 46 km |
| 2009 | GREASEWOOD | 24,902 | 94 km |
| 1999 | GARCIA | 22,621 | 85 km |
| 2006 | ADOBE | 20,089 | 57 km |
| 2011 | TRUCK STOP | 19,656 | 89 km |
| 2008 | CENTER PEAK | 19,443 | 71 km |
| 2009 | HOG | 18,086 | 67 km |
| 1989 | WHITLOCK | 16,986 | 64 km |
| 1994 | LYNCH | 16,204 | 82 km |
| 2015 | GREASEWOOD 2015 NON-WUI | 13,968 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in |
Cotton City has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.5") and April the driest (0.2").