Weather & Climate in Lake Arthur, NM

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

Lake Arthur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 40°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 12.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,382 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.6°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,382 ft (1,031 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	826/sq mi
Coordinates	32.9994°N, 104.3637°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Eddy County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 70 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.1"

68% below US avg

Snowfall 3.8"

Wettest Month (Sep) 2.32"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	83.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	56.9 / 100
Community Resilience	12.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

1,330 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.0.

Feb 15, 2025	53 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M5.0	150 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2020	41 km W of Mentone, Texas	M5.0	146 km	10 km
Jul 21, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.9	147 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2025	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.7	144 km	4 km
Mar 25, 2022	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	148 km	7 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	139 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2022	53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	144 km	6 km
Mar 17, 2021	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	150 km	6 km
Aug 11, 2022	54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	147 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2021	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.4	149 km	6 km
Mar 5, 2022	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	149 km	7 km
Jun 6, 2022	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	143 km	5 km
Jan 9, 2025	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	148 km	6 km
Feb 22, 2023	western Texas	M4.2	147 km	7 km
Jul 23, 2024	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	147 km	6 km
Jul 28, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	147 km	7 km
Feb 13, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	147 km	7 km
Mar 2, 2025	51 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	143 km	7 km
Jun 8, 2022	58 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.1	150 km	7 km
May 28, 2024	55 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M4.1	148 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

137 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 40 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 17, 1954	EF3	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	7 km	15.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	95 km	14.7 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	86 km	8.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 1992	EF2	65 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	99 km	17.5 mi	0
May 31, 1991	EF2	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 24, 1960	EF2	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	42 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1995	EF1	78 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	29 km	8.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1981	EF1	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	44 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1979	EF1	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 18, 1973	EF1	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1971	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 1971	EF1	92 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (169 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	169 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	93 km
2006	MCDONALD	92,790	99 km
2011	ENTERPRISE	77,368	80 km
2009	CATO	53,730	78 km
2011	LAST CHANCE	53,486	85 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	79 km
2000	VALENTINE COMPLEX	35,678	99 km
2000	GRANDE COMPLEX	34,597	83 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	97 km
2011	LOOP	29,771	87 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	98 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	71 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	88 km
2009	238	24,831	96 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	73 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	60 km
1988	FORT	20,320	95 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	59 km
2011	ACREY	18,720	82 km
2010	CAVE WF INCIDENTS	17,648	99 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	46°F (8°C)	0.4 in
March	53°F (12°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	61°F (16°C)	0.5 in
May	70°F (21°C)	1.1 in
June	78°F (25°C)	1.5 in
July	81°F (27°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	2.3 in
September	72°F (22°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
October	61°F (16°C)	1.2 in
November	50°F (10°C)	0.6 in
December	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in

Lake Arthur has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.3") and March the driest (0.3").

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