Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Mesa 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 9.1 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 3,830 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
63.2°F
17% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
330 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
3,830 ft (1,167 m)
Area
2.4 sq mi (6.1 km²)
Population Density
231/sq mi
Coordinates
32.1244°N, 106.7090°W
Timezone
America/Denver
County
Doña Ana County County
Nearest Airport
Las Cruces International (LRU) 17 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall9.1"
76% below US avg
Snowfall1.0"
Wettest Month (Aug)2.20"
Driest Month (Apr)0.20"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
67.5 / 100
Community Resilience
4.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very High
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Volcano
No Rating
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.9.
Feb 8, 2015
36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M3.9
56 km
4 km
Mar 29, 2024
51 km E of Ascención, Mexico
M3.4
136 km
10 km
Feb 1, 2015
34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M3.1
58 km
5 km
Feb 7, 2015
35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M3.1
57 km
5 km
Feb 1, 2015
38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M3.1
54 km
5 km
Feb 8, 2015
36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M3.0
56 km
5 km
Feb 8, 2015
35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico
M3.0
50 km
5 km
Jan 27, 2013
13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico
M2.9
108 km
5 km
Feb 8, 2015
35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico
M2.9
58 km
8 km
Apr 5, 2012
10 km NE of Fabens, Texas
M2.9
85 km
5 km
Feb 15, 2015
34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M2.8
58 km
5 km
Jan 3, 2025
50 km NW of Tularosa, New Mexico
M2.8
147 km
10 km
Mar 29, 2024
50 km E of Ascención, Mexico
M2.7
139 km
10 km
Feb 8, 2015
38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico
M2.6
54 km
5 km
Jun 5, 2009
3 km SE of Praxedis G. Guerrero, Mexico
M2.6
110 km
0 km
Mar 6, 2012
9 km E of Fort Bliss, Texas
M2.5
52 km
6 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
28 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF1.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Oct 9, 2006
EF1
86 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 21, 1992
EF1
64 km
0.6 mi
0
Jun 21, 1992
EF1
69 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 21, 1992
EF1
69 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 28, 1989
EF1
55 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 31, 1979
EF1
17 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 19, 1972
EF1
65 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1971
EF1
100 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 29, 1959
EF1
10 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 22, 2019
EF0
75 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 13, 2011
EF0
29 km
0.4 mi
0
May 2, 2007
EF0
67 km
0.6 mi
0
May 2, 2007
EF0
28 km
8.4 mi
0
Apr 29, 2007
EF0
53 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 15, 2006
EF0
88 km
6.5 mi
0
Sep 13, 2006
EF0
21 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 2, 2002
EF0
41 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 19, 2001
EF0
22 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 21, 1992
EF0
83 km
1.5 mi
0
Sep 22, 1988
EF0
1 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km.
Closest: Carrizozo (198 km).
Name
Type
Elevation
Last Eruption
Distance
Carrizozo
Pyroclastic cone(s)
1,731 m (5,679 ft)
-3250
198 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ESCONDIDO (25,700 acres, 1993).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1993
ESCONDIDO
25,700
78 km
2009
OROGRANDE
14,853
64 km
1994
HAT
14,842
71 km
1994
UNNAMED
14,645
29 km
2000
HAY MEADOW
13,553
97 km
2011
ABRAMS
12,786
29 km
2001
BENNETT MT
10,249
54 km
1993
UVAS
8,541
66 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,496
43 km
1989
CLI
7,469
99 km
1992
UNNAMED
7,001
86 km
2010
LONG CANYON
6,656
22 km
1990
UNNAMED
6,605
74 km
1993
UNNAMED
6,482
31 km
2011
CENTENNIAL
6,269
86 km
1993
MARTIN
5,290
77 km
2018
ORGAN
4,880
40 km
2022
POTRILLO
4,293
45 km
2000
DOUBLE TK
3,820
90 km
1994
GOODSIGHT
3,450
79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
0.4 in
February
48°F (9°C)
0.3 in
March
54°F (12°C)
0.2 in
April
61°F (16°C)
0.2 in
Driest
May
70°F (21°C)
0.3 in
June
79°F (26°C)
0.7 in
July
82°F (28°C)
1.5 in
Warmest
August
79°F (26°C)
2.2 in
Wettest
September
73°F (23°C)
1.5 in
October
62°F (17°C)
0.9 in
November
50°F (10°C)
0.5 in
December
43°F (6°C)
0.8 in
Coldest
La Mesa has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 43°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and April the driest (0.2").