Weather & Climate in Las Cruces, NM

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

Las Cruces enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 91°F in July. The area gets 353 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 4.3 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 3,904 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 91°F Jul (33°C)

Annual Average	66.2°F
	23% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	91°F (33°C)
Sunny Days	353 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,904 ft (1,190 m)
Area	77.0 sq mi (199.5 km²)
Population Density	1,464/sq mi
Coordinates	32.3264°N, 106.7897°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Doña Ana County County
Nearest Airport	Las Cruces International (LRU) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 4.3"

89% below US avg

Snowfall 0.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.28"

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

17 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	48 km	4 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	147 km	0 km
Jun 10, 1993	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.2	147 km	0 km
Feb 1, 2015	34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	51 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2015	35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	50 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2015	38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	45 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.0	47 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico	M3.0	41 km	5 km
Jan 27, 2013	13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico	M2.9	104 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico	M2.9	53 km	8 km
Apr 5, 2012	10 km NE of Fabens, Texas	M2.9	107 km	5 km
Feb 15, 2015	34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M2.8	53 km	5 km
Sep 6, 1991	8 km NNW of Mimbres, New Mexico	M2.8	134 km	10 km
Jan 3, 2025	50 km NW of Tularosa, New Mexico	M2.8	127 km	10 km
Jun 5, 2009	3 km SE of Praxedis G. Guerrero, Mexico	M2.6	133 km	0 km
Feb 8, 2015	38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M2.6	49 km	5 km
Mar 6, 2012	9 km E of Fort Bliss, Texas	M2.5	73 km	6 km

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

Tornado History

35 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 9, 2006	EF1	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1992	EF1	87 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 21, 1992	EF1	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 1992	EF1	91 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 28, 1989	EF1	43 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	98 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 31, 1979	EF1	41 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 19, 1972	EF1	81 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 9, 1971	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 29, 1959	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	95 km	0.6 mi	0
Apr 22, 2019	EF0	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 2011	EF0	51 km	0.4 mi	0
May 2, 2007	EF0	59 km	0.6 mi	0
May 2, 2007	EF0	37 km	8.4 mi	0
Apr 29, 2007	EF0	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 15, 2006	EF0	86 km	6.5 mi	0
Sep 13, 2006	EF0	9 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 2, 2002	EF0	34 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano 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

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	88 km
2009	OROGRANDE	14,853	69 km
1994	HAT	14,842	84 km
1994	UNNAMED	14,645	26 km
2011	ABRAMS	12,786	26 km
2001	BENNETT MT	10,249	39 km
1993	UVAS	8,541	46 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,496	29 km
1992	UNNAMED	7,001	88 km
2010	LONG CANYON	6,656	25 km
1990	UNNAMED	6,605	83 km
1993	UNNAMED	6,482	54 km
2011	CENTENNIAL	6,269	89 km
1993	MARTIN	5,290	83 km
2018	ORGAN	4,880	29 km
2022	POTRILLO	4,293	50 km
2000	DOUBLE TK	3,820	91 km
1994	GOODSIGHT	3,450	63 km
1990	SOLADA	3,419	30 km
1994	UNNAMED	3,348	55 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	0.5 in
February	48°F (9°C)	0.3 in
March	53°F (12°C)	0.2 in
April	60°F (16°C)	0.2 in	Driest
May	69°F (20°C)	0.4 in
June	78°F (25°C)	0.7 in
July	91°F (33°C)	1.6 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
September	72°F (22°C)	1.4 in
October	62°F (17°C)	1.0 in
November	50°F (10°C)	0.5 in
December	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Las Cruces has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 43°F in December to 91°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and April the driest (0.2").

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