Weather & Climate in Nogal, NM

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

Nogal experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 70°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 16.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.3 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 6,799 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	53.6°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	6,799 ft (2,072 m)
Area	7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²)
Population Density	21/sq mi
Coordinates	33.5382°N, 105.7119°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.6"

56% below US avg

Snowfall 27.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 3.43"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.51"

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

72 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.

Jan 29, 1990	6 km W of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.5	149 km	12 km
Nov 8, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.4	146 km	6 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	146 km	1 km
Jan 31, 1990	5 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M4.0	146 km	10 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	145 km	10 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	93 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	147 km	10 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	93 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1990	4 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	147 km	7 km
May 5, 1990	6 km WSW of Abeytas, New Mexico	M3.6	148 km	7 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	149 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	121 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	71 km	0 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	120 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	144 km	1 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	118 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.4	120 km	5 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	128 km	5 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	147 km	10 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	92 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	75 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	70 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	36 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	76 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	24 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	14 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	43 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	80 km	0.9 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	59 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	83 km	0.6 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	9 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	61 km	4.1 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	66 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	94 km	0.3 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	93 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 26, 2015	EF0	21 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (34 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	34 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	47 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	34 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	11 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	71 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	72 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	66 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	79 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	89 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	90 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	38 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	47 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	44 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	87 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	76 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	39 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	59 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	59 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	41 km
2009	FRESQUEZ 2	11,512	54 km
2011	WHITE	10,124	24 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	0.8 in
February	40°F (4°C)	0.8 in
March	45°F (7°C)	0.8 in
April	52°F (11°C)	0.5 in	Driest
May	60°F (16°C)	0.9 in
June	69°F (21°C)	1.4 in
July	70°F (21°C)	3.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
September	64°F (18°C)	2.2 in
October	55°F (13°C)	1.2 in
November	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
December	37°F (3°C)	1.2 in	Coldest

Nogal has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 37°F in December to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.4") and April the driest (0.5").

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