Weather & Climate in Dexter, NM

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

Dexter enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°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 13.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,459 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	59.5°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,459 ft (1,054 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	1,567/sq mi
Coordinates	33.1948°N, 104.3689°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Chaves County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 70 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.3"

65% below US avg

Snowfall 3.6"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.44"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.3 / 100
Community Resilience	4.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

165 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Mar 28, 2010	25 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M4.1	85 km	4 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	78 km	5 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	63 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	71 km	1 km
Jul 19, 2021	37 km ESE of Malaga, New Mexico	M4.0	139 km	8 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	77 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	74 km	10 km
Jun 12, 2025	34 km SE of Malaga, New Mexico	M3.7	142 km	8 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	77 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	60 km	5 km
Apr 12, 2025	19 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico	M3.5	96 km	8 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	83 km	9 km
Jul 15, 2025	36 km ESE of Malaga, New Mexico	M3.5	139 km	7 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	74 km	1 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	54 km	2 km
Sep 22, 2023	New Mexico	M3.5	141 km	8 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	69 km	5 km
Apr 18, 2023	23 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.4	90 km	5 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	73 km	10 km
May 29, 2024	13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	60 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

127 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 17, 1954	EF3	96 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	23 km	15.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	86 km	8.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 1992	EF2	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	70 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 24, 1960	EF2	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	29 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1995	EF1	85 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	46 km	8.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1981	EF1	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	28 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1979	EF1	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 18, 1973	EF1	96 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1971	EF1	96 km	0.1 mi	0
May 27, 1970	EF1	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1970	EF1	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 17, 1970	EF1	83 km	7.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1967	EF1	36 km	1.5 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (159 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	159 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	88 km
2006	MCDONALD	92,790	98 km
2011	ENTERPRISE	77,368	81 km
2009	CATO	53,730	64 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	97 km
2000	VALENTINE COMPLEX	35,678	95 km
2000	GRANDE COMPLEX	34,597	85 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	83 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	94 km
2008	FOUR LAKES	23,770	94 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	68 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	56 km
2011	KIZER 5	20,859	98 km
1988	FORT	20,320	95 km
2018	380	19,287	96 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	62 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	69 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	98 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	85 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	0.4 in
March	52°F (11°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	60°F (15°C)	0.6 in
May	69°F (21°C)	1.2 in
June	77°F (25°C)	1.6 in
July	80°F (27°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	2.4 in	Wettest
September	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in
October	61°F (16°C)	1.2 in
November	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in
December	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in

Dexter has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 39°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.4") and March the driest (0.3").

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