Weather & Climate in Morningside, NM

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

Morningside 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 3,371 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	3,371 ft (1,027 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density	3,911/sq mi
Coordinates	32.8610°N, 104.3971°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

1,973 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	135 km	8 km
Feb 15, 2025	53 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M5.0	135 km	6 km
Mar 26, 2020	41 km W of Mentone, Texas	M5.0	132 km	10 km
Jul 21, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.9	131 km	6 km
Feb 18, 2025	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.7	128 km	4 km
Mar 25, 2022	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	133 km	7 km
Jun 1, 2022	53 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.6	128 km	6 km
Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	135 km	5 km
Mar 17, 2021	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	134 km	6 km
Aug 11, 2022	54 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.5	131 km	7 km
Sep 1, 2022	38 km WSW of Mentone, Texas	M4.4	143 km	7 km
Jun 25, 2021	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.4	133 km	6 km
Jun 6, 2022	52 km SSW of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	128 km	5 km
Jul 28, 2021	54 km NW of Toyah, Texas	M4.3	140 km	6 km
Mar 5, 2022	57 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.3	134 km	7 km
Jun 1, 2022	western Texas	M4.3	146 km	10 km
Jul 23, 2024	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	132 km	6 km
Feb 13, 2022	55 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	132 km	7 km
Jan 9, 2025	56 km S of Whites City, New Mexico	M4.2	133 km	6 km
Feb 22, 2023	western Texas	M4.2	132 km	7 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 17, 1954	EF3	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	16 km	15.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	82 km	14.7 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	93 km	8.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 1992	EF2	51 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	98 km	17.5 mi	0
May 31, 1991	EF2	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1982	EF2	100 km	15.0 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	42 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 24, 1960	EF2	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	52 km	1.0 mi	0
May 26, 1995	EF1	79 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	19 km	8.0 mi	0
May 11, 1989	EF1	92 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 5, 1981	EF1	52 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	56 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1979	EF1	10 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 18, 1973	EF1	97 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (175 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	175 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	97 km
2011	ENTERPRISE	77,368	86 km
2009	CATO	53,730	92 km
2011	LAST CHANCE	53,486	69 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	66 km
2000	GRANDE COMPLEX	34,597	89 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	95 km
2011	LOOP	29,771	71 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	99 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	62 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	90 km
2009	238	24,831	95 km
1990	BIG	24,768	93 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	77 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	64 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	58 km
2011	ACREY	18,720	68 km
2010	CAVE WF INCIDENTS	17,648	83 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	62 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	83 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

Morningside 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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