Weather & Climate in Mescalero, NM

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

Mescalero experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. The area gets 328 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 22.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 8,051 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	50.1°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	66°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	8,051 ft (2,454 m)
Area	17.9 sq mi (46.4 km²)
Population Density	46/sq mi
Coordinates	33.1346°N, 105.7999°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Alamogordo-White Sands Regional (ALM) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.0"

42% below US avg

Snowfall 26.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.49"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	79.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.5 / 100
Community Resilience	7.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

90 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	144 km	4 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	141 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	125 km	1 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	134 km	5 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	131 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	123 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	117 km	5 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	132 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	120 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	132 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	83 km	0 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	132 km	9 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	139 km	2 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	122 km	1 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	136 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	119 km	10 km
Apr 18, 2023	23 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.4	149 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	115 km	5 km
May 29, 2024	13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	141 km	9 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	125 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

38 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	31 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	25 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	74 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	32 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	57 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	34 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	32 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	25 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	93 km	0.9 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	91 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	38 km	0.6 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	54 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	52 km	4.1 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	73 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 26, 2015	EF0	25 km	0.2 mi	0
May 14, 2010	EF0	35 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2008	EF0	74 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (73 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	73 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	48 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	67 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	35 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	42 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	86 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	77 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	66 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	77 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	76 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	73 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	40 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	38 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	75 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	45 km
2009	OROGRANDE	14,853	97 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	37 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	83 km
2000	HAY MEADOW	13,553	84 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	97 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	29 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	1.2 in
February	36°F (2°C)	1.1 in
March	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
April	48°F (9°C)	0.6 in	Driest
May	56°F (13°C)	1.0 in
June	64°F (18°C)	1.7 in
July	66°F (19°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
August	64°F (18°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
September	60°F (15°C)	2.9 in
October	51°F (11°C)	1.6 in
November	40°F (5°C)	1.1 in
December	35°F (1°C)	1.5 in	Coldest

Mescalero has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 35°F in December to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (0.6").

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