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Weather & Climate in La Luz, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Luz enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,723 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.1°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,723 ft (1,440 m) |
| Area | 10.7 sq mi (27.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 158/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.9716°N, 105.9397°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Otero County County |
| Nearest Airport | Alamogordo-White Sands Regional (ALM) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
87 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 | 147 km | 4 km |
| May 23, 2004 | 31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico | M4.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 23, 2024 | 15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico | M4.0 | 147 km | 5 km |
| May 31, 2010 | 33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico | M4.0 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 1999 | 26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico | M4.0 | 130 km | 1 km |
| May 30, 1999 | 26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico | M3.9 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Feb 27, 1990 | 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Jun 22, 2004 | 32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico | M3.7 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Feb 21, 1990 | 31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.6 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 21, 2003 | 15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico | M3.6 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 1991 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.5 | 88 km | 0 km |
| Mar 20, 2025 | 37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico | M3.5 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Feb 24, 2024 | 6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico | M3.5 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico | M3.5 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2013 | 25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico | M3.4 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 17, 2002 | 27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico | M3.4 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Aug 26, 2004 | 23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico | M3.4 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jul 22, 1996 | 11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico | M3.4 | 139 km | 10 km |
| May 29, 2024 | 13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico | M3.4 | 147 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
34 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 27, 1982 | EF2 | 9 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2019 | EF1 | 3 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2014 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1991 | EF1 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1989 | EF1 | 10 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1987 | EF1 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1972 | EF1 | 56 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1971 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1959 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1959 | EF1 | 6 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2021 | EF0 | 98 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | EF0 | 17 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2019 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2018 | EF0 | 69 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2017 | EF0 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 2016 | EF0 | 82 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2015 | EF0 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 2010 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2008 | EF0 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2007 | EF0 | 21 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (90 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 90 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 | 68 km |
| 2004 | PEPPIN | 60,546 | 90 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE BEAR | 37,935 | 56 km |
| 2011 | MAYHILL | 33,563 | 50 km |
| 2009 | FOUR MILE | 27,609 | 90 km |
| 1993 | ESCONDIDO | 25,700 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 22,591 | 80 km |
| 2008 | BONNEY | 22,162 | 84 km |
| 2011 | BATON ROUGE COMPLEX | 21,641 | 93 km |
| 2011 | CROOKED CREEK | 19,206 | 88 km |
| 2009 | PICACHO | 16,411 | 83 km |
| 2002 | NUMBER 52 | 16,067 | 60 km |
| 1994 | YELLOWWELL | 16,010 | 57 km |
| 2019 | PINE LODGE | 15,141 | 98 km |
| 2000 | SCOTTABLE | 15,017 | 39 km |
| 2009 | OROGRANDE | 14,853 | 77 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 14,645 | 89 km |
| 2002 | PENASCO | 14,343 | 36 km |
| 2000 | HAY MEADOW | 13,553 | 69 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 12,998 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 0.6 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
La Luz has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 41°F in December to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.7") and April the driest (0.4").