All Countries
Weather & Climate in Happy Valley, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Happy Valley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°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 12.1 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 3,223 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.4°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,223 ft (982 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 287/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.4279°N, 104.2898°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Eddy County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lea County Regional (HOB) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2,041 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| May 4, 2025 | 59 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M5.4 | 88 km | 8 km |
| Feb 15, 2025 | 53 km NW of Toyah, Texas | M5.0 | 86 km | 6 km |
| Mar 26, 2020 | 41 km W of Mentone, Texas | M5.0 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Jul 21, 2022 | 55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.9 | 84 km | 6 km |
| Feb 18, 2025 | 52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.7 | 82 km | 4 km |
| Jun 1, 2022 | 53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.6 | 83 km | 6 km |
| Mar 25, 2022 | 56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.6 | 85 km | 7 km |
| Jan 2, 1992 | 12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico | M4.6 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2022 | 54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.5 | 84 km | 7 km |
| Mar 17, 2021 | 57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.5 | 86 km | 6 km |
| Sep 1, 2022 | 38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas | M4.4 | 94 km | 7 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.4 | 85 km | 6 km |
| Jul 28, 2021 | 54 km NW of Toyah, Texas | M4.3 | 91 km | 6 km |
| Mar 5, 2022 | 57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.3 | 85 km | 7 km |
| Jun 1, 2022 | western Texas | M4.3 | 97 km | 10 km |
| Jun 6, 2022 | 52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.3 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jul 23, 2024 | 55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.2 | 84 km | 6 km |
| Feb 13, 2022 | 55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.2 | 84 km | 7 km |
| Feb 22, 2023 | western Texas | M4.2 | 84 km | 7 km |
| Mar 2, 2025 | 51 km S of Whites City, New Mexico | M4.2 | 79 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
123 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 37 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 12, 2019 | EF2 | 34 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 2019 | EF2 | 65 km | 15.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1999 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1999 | EF2 | 93 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1992 | EF2 | 4 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1992 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1991 | EF2 | 91 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1991 | EF2 | 16 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1982 | EF2 | 56 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 30, 1976 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1974 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1998 | EF1 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1995 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1995 | EF1 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1989 | EF1 | 53 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1989 | EF1 | 46 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1988 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1981 | EF1 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1979 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1974 | EF1 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAST CHANCE (53,486 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LAST CHANCE | 53,486 | 39 km |
| 2008 | ROCKY | 48,019 | 57 km |
| 2011 | LOOP | 29,771 | 25 km |
| 2009 | FOUR MILE | 27,609 | 76 km |
| 2011 | MARTIN 2 | 26,841 | 95 km |
| 2009 | 238 | 24,831 | 91 km |
| 1990 | BIG | 24,768 | 56 km |
| 2011 | CROOKED CREEK | 19,206 | 92 km |
| 2006 | BUCKEYE I | 19,027 | 97 km |
| 2011 | ACREY | 18,720 | 54 km |
| 2010 | CAVE WF INCIDENTS | 17,648 | 43 km |
| 2009 | PICACHO | 16,411 | 92 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 16,027 | 91 km |
| 2016 | COYOTE | 14,517 | 75 km |
| 1993 | JALTWO | 13,332 | 89 km |
| 1998 | BURLESON | 11,014 | 60 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 11,008 | 100 km |
| 2010 | CUTOFF | 10,433 | 73 km |
| 1998 | BUCKEYE | 9,844 | 92 km |
| 2011 | WIR1 | 9,010 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 0.5 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 1.2 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 1.6 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 0.6 in |
Happy Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 44°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.5 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.8") and March the driest (0.3").