Weather & Climate in Malaga, NM

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

Malaga enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 84°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 12.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 2,994 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 84°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	64.4°F
	19% above US avg
January Average	44°F (7°C)
July Average	84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,994 ft (913 m)
Area	3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density	21/sq mi
Coordinates	32.2209°N, 104.0660°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Eddy County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 59 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 12.6"

67% below US avg

Snowfall 2.7"

Wettest Month (Sep) 2.72"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.28"

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

2,188 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	74 km	8 km
Feb 15, 2025	53 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M5.0	63 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2020	41 km W of Mentone, Texas	M5.0	56 km	10 km
Jul 21, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.9	69 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2025	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.7	70 km	4 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	92 km	5 km
Mar 25, 2022	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	70 km	7 km
Jun 1, 2022	53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	73 km	6 km
Mar 17, 2021	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	69 km	6 km
Aug 11, 2022	54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	69 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2021	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.4	68 km	6 km
Sep 1, 2022	38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas	M4.4	67 km	7 km
Jul 28, 2021	54 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M4.3	70 km	6 km
Mar 5, 2022	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	67 km	7 km
Jun 6, 2022	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	71 km	5 km
Jun 1, 2022	western Texas	M4.3	70 km	10 km
Jan 9, 2025	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	68 km	6 km
Jul 23, 2024	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	69 km	6 km
Jul 28, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	68 km	7 km
Feb 22, 2023	western Texas	M4.2	68 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

134 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 43 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	5 km	14.7 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	94 km	15.2 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	62 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1999	EF2	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1992	EF2	28 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 1992	EF2	60 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	98 km	4.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	93 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	93 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	84 km	17.5 mi	0
May 31, 1991	EF2	17 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF2	52 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1954	EF2	96 km	25.0 mi	0
Oct 27, 1998	EF1	44 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 2, 1995	EF1	67 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 1995	EF1	85 km	2.5 mi	0
May 15, 1995	EF1	90 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	84 km	8.0 mi	0
May 11, 1989	EF1	85 km	5.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAST CHANCE (53,486 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LAST CHANCE	53,486	57 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	82 km
2011	LOOP	29,771	32 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	97 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	94 km
2009	238	24,831	86 km
1990	BIG	24,768	62 km
2006	BUCKEYE I	19,027	91 km
2011	ACREY	18,720	78 km
2010	CAVE WF INCIDENTS	17,648	50 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	94 km
2016	COYOTE	14,517	81 km
1993	JALTWO	13,332	66 km
1998	BURLESON	11,014	80 km
1994	UNNAMED	11,008	90 km
2010	CUTOFF	10,433	80 km
2008	483 FIRE	10,306	95 km
1998	BUCKEYE	9,844	87 km
2011	WIR1	9,010	79 km
1993	MADDOX 2	8,274	92 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (7°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	48°F (9°C)	0.4 in
March	56°F (13°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	63°F (17°C)	0.5 in
May	72°F (22°C)	1.1 in
June	80°F (27°C)	1.7 in
July	84°F (29°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	80°F (27°C)	2.0 in
September	74°F (23°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
October	64°F (18°C)	1.1 in
November	52°F (11°C)	0.6 in
December	45°F (7°C)	0.5 in

Malaga has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 44°F in January to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (2.7") and March the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Malaga, NM →