Weather & Climate in High Rolls, NM

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

High Rolls experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 69°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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 7,759 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	52.9°F
	2% below US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	7,759 ft (2,365 m)
Area	15.4 sq mi (39.9 km²)
Population Density	95/sq mi
Coordinates	32.9337°N, 105.8027°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Otero County County
Nearest Airport	Alamogordo-White Sands Regional (ALM) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.3"

49% below US avg

Snowfall 17.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.72"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.63"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.5 / 100
Community Resilience	4.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

94 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	134 km	4 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	116 km	1 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	134 km	5 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	121 km	5 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	124 km	5 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	135 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	114 km	10 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	123 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	125 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	138 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	113 km	1 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	121 km	9 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	134 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2025	19 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico	M3.5	143 km	8 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	99 km	0 km
May 29, 2024	13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	134 km	9 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	142 km	10 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	117 km	10 km
Apr 18, 2023	23 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.4	138 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	128 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

39 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	14 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	94 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	25 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	19 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	76 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	56 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	48 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	19 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF0	98 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	76 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	58 km	4.1 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	69 km	4.7 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	100 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 2015	EF0	48 km	0.2 mi	0
May 14, 2010	EF0	54 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2008	EF0	86 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (95 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	95 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	60 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	86 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	57 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	37 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	77 km
1993	ESCONDIDO	25,700	88 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	92 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	74 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	82 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	76 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	70 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	54 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	48 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	93 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	26 km
2009	OROGRANDE	14,853	76 km
1994	UNNAMED	14,645	95 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	23 km
2000	HAY MEADOW	13,553	62 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	42 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	1.2 in
February	35°F (2°C)	1.2 in
March	39°F (4°C)	1.1 in
April	46°F (8°C)	0.6 in	Driest
May	54°F (12°C)	1.1 in
June	62°F (17°C)	1.9 in
July	69°F (20°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	62°F (17°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
September	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.8 in
November	39°F (4°C)	1.2 in
December	34°F (1°C)	1.5 in	Coldest

High Rolls has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 34°F in December to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and April the driest (0.6").

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