Weather & Climate in Jal, NM

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

Jal 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 12.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,043 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (6°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	63.4°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	44°F (6°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,043 ft (928 m)
Area	4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²)
Population Density	429/sq mi
Coordinates	32.1148°N, 103.1900°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lea County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.2"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 1.9"

Wettest Month (Sep) 2.32"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	66.0 / 100
Community Resilience	1.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

2,414 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	131 km	8 km
Sep 17, 2024	2024 North of Tarzan, Texas Earthquake	M5.1	112 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2020	41 km W of Mentone, Texas	M5.0	92 km	10 km
Feb 15, 2025	53 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M5.0	106 km	6 km
Jul 21, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.9	126 km	6 km
Feb 28, 2025	26 km SW of Ackerly, Texas	M4.8	122 km	7 km
Feb 18, 2025	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.7	132 km	4 km
Mar 25, 2022	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	126 km	7 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	26 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2022	53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	136 km	6 km
Aug 11, 2022	54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	126 km	7 km
Mar 17, 2021	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	122 km	6 km
Sep 1, 2022	38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas	M4.4	93 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2021	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.4	122 km	6 km
Apr 10, 2024	21 km N of Stanton, Texas	M4.4	131 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2022	western Texas	M4.3	94 km	10 km
Jun 6, 2022	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	135 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2022	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	118 km	7 km
Jul 28, 2021	54 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M4.3	116 km	6 km
Feb 22, 2023	western Texas	M4.2	122 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

261 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 110 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 20, 2019	EF3	94 km	5.8 mi	0
May 14, 2010	EF3	53 km	4.3 mi	0
Apr 19, 1977	EF3	81 km	4.3 mi	0
Apr 19, 1969	EF3	81 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1954	EF3	97 km	0.1 mi	0
May 30, 2024	EF2	93 km	10.3 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	84 km	14.7 mi	0
Nov 16, 2015	EF2	92 km	5.6 mi	0
Mar 18, 2012	EF2	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 10, 1997	EF2	99 km	2.6 mi	0
May 22, 1992	EF2	72 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	57 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	57 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	67 km	17.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	54 km	4.5 mi	0
May 31, 1991	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
May 25, 1987	EF2	75 km	11.0 mi	0
May 27, 1982	EF2	65 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRYING PAN RANCH (106,253 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	FRYING PAN RANCH	106,253	28 km
2011	TOM	64,786	90 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	82 km
2011	DERICK FIRE	27,780	75 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	88 km
2009	238	24,831	72 km
2006	BUCKEYE I	19,027	70 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	95 km
2011	PLEASANT FARMS	15,516	91 km
1993	JALTWO	13,332	22 km
1989	WATTS	11,602	97 km
2008	ELLISON	11,140	92 km
2008	483 FIRE	10,306	70 km
1998	BUCKEYE	9,844	74 km
2011	WIR1	9,010	76 km
1993	MADDOX 2	8,274	68 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,266	86 km
2008	CHEVRON	7,735	97 km
1989	ARKANSAS	7,517	78 km
2008	PARKER	6,844	68 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (6°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	49°F (9°C)	0.5 in
March	56°F (13°C)	0.4 in
April	64°F (18°C)	0.6 in
May	73°F (23°C)	1.2 in
June	80°F (27°C)	1.7 in
July	82°F (28°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	81°F (27°C)	1.7 in
September	75°F (24°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
October	65°F (18°C)	1.2 in
November	53°F (12°C)	0.5 in
December	45°F (7°C)	0.4 in

Jal has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 44°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.3 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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