Weather & Climate in Hillsboro, NM

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

Hillsboro enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 77°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 12.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,361 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	58.1°F
	8% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,361 ft (1,634 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	103/sq mi
Coordinates	32.9218°N, 107.5772°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Luna County County
Nearest Airport	Las Cruces International (LRU) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.3"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 2.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.91"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.24"

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

60 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

Jun 29, 2014	12 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M4.0	148 km	5 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	147 km	5 km
Jul 3, 2014	11 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.9	146 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.9	81 km	4 km
Jul 11, 2014	5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.6	148 km	5 km
Jul 12, 2014	17 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.6	150 km	5 km
Jul 9, 2014	13 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.6	147 km	5 km
Jul 10, 2014	16 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.6	149 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	129 km	0 km
Jun 29, 2014	14 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.5	145 km	5 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	140 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2019	2 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.4	145 km	10 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	145 km	5 km
Jan 25, 2015	9 km S of Franklin, Arizona	M3.4	144 km	5 km
Oct 3, 2023	3 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.3	146 km	5 km
Jul 11, 2014	6 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.3	147 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2014	10 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.3	148 km	5 km
Mar 11, 2014	8 km ENE of Luis Lopez, New Mexico	M3.3	142 km	8 km
May 19, 2011	40 km SSE of Datil, New Mexico	M3.2	100 km	5 km
Jul 5, 2014	8 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona	M3.2	149 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 12, 1957	EF3	64 km	8.2 mi	0
Oct 9, 2006	EF1	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 13, 1989	EF1	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 28, 1989	EF1	74 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 19, 1979	EF1	67 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 16, 1971	EF1	7 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 1971	EF1	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1967	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 6, 2007	EF0	91 km	3.1 mi	0
Apr 29, 2007	EF0	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 13, 2006	EF0	100 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1987	EF0	36 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1982	EF0	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1979	EF0	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 7, 1966	EF0	84 km	0.7 mi	0
Jun 11, 1960	EF0	45 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1958	EF0	33 km	0.3 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (180 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	180 km
Red Hill	Volcanic field	2,300 m (7,546 ft)	-9450	188 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLACK (328,091 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	BLACK	328,091	39 km
2013	SILVER	137,884	25 km
2003	DRY LAKE COMPLEX (DRY LAKES)	113,956	87 km
2021	JOHNSON	95,808	89 km
2011	MILLER	84,760	76 km
2005	BLACK RANGE COMPLEX WFU	74,273	78 km
2023	PASS	66,071	77 km
2003	BOILER	56,796	66 km
1993	BRUSH	39,349	86 km
2022	BEAR TRAP	38,201	98 km
2002	MIDDLE	37,096	97 km
2000	CHANCE	33,064	98 km
2009	DIAMOND	32,021	52 km
1994	POT	30,248	84 km
1995	BONNER	26,381	40 km
2020	CUB	24,489	96 km
2017	CORRAL	20,503	59 km
2020	GOOD	19,507	73 km
1997	LILLY	18,507	95 km
2000	BLOODGOOD	17,656	75 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	0.6 in
February	43°F (6°C)	0.5 in
March	48°F (9°C)	0.3 in
April	54°F (12°C)	0.2 in	Driest
May	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
June	71°F (22°C)	0.8 in
July	77°F (25°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
September	67°F (19°C)	2.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	1.4 in
November	46°F (8°C)	0.8 in
December	40°F (4°C)	1.0 in	Coldest

Hillsboro has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 40°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and April the driest (0.2").

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