Weather & Climate in Portales, NM

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

Portales enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°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 16.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 7.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,007 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.1°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,007 ft (1,221 m)
Area	7.0 sq mi (18.2 km²)
Population Density	1,497/sq mi
Coordinates	34.1773°N, 103.3551°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Roosevelt County County
Nearest Airport	Clovis Regional (CVN) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.1"

58% below US avg

Snowfall 7.6"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.95"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	52.6 / 100
Community Resilience	2.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.

Mar 19, 1995	8 km SSE of Newkirk, New Mexico	M3.3	121 km	5 km
Jan 6, 2014	31 km E of Logan, New Mexico	M3.3	129 km	5 km
Apr 1, 2025	22 km S of Newkirk, New Mexico	M3.0	111 km	5 km
Jul 14, 1998	6 km WSW of Logan, New Mexico	M3.0	130 km	5 km
Aug 18, 2017	13 km SW of Newkirk, New Mexico	M2.8	128 km	5 km
Jun 7, 2020	11 km NE of Adrian, Texas	M2.8	149 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2020	5 km SSW of Newkirk, New Mexico	M2.7	127 km	5 km
Apr 21, 2024	24 km S of Adrian, Texas	M2.7	117 km	10 km
Apr 30, 2022	8 km E of Anton, Texas	M2.6	126 km	2 km

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

Tornado History

329 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 131 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	71 km	130.0 mi	1
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	93 km	30.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 1995	EF3	71 km	10.0 mi	0
May 10, 1991	EF3	82 km	8.5 mi	0
May 16, 1969	EF3	84 km	0.6 mi	0
May 6, 1969	EF3	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1965	EF3	90 km	0.2 mi	0
May 21, 1963	EF3	30 km	5.9 mi	0
Jun 3, 1961	EF3	76 km	25.1 mi	0
Oct 11, 1960	EF3	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 12, 1960	EF3	99 km	5.2 mi	3
May 24, 1957	EF3	47 km	1.9 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	67 km	2.9 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	97 km	7.6 mi	0
May 26, 2019	EF2	77 km	8.0 mi	0
May 26, 2019	EF2	33 km	9.5 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	70 km	1.5 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	18 km	12.5 mi	2
Jun 27, 1992	EF2	42 km	0.9 mi	0
Mar 27, 1992	EF2	39 km	10.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CATO (53,730 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	CATO	53,730	84 km
2011	TIRE	44,942	16 km
2018	206	40,247	66 km
2000	VALENTINE COMPLEX	35,678	98 km
2000	JOHNNY	34,324	96 km
2011	WINDY	24,687	65 km
2005	RANGE	24,643	32 km
2008	FOUR LAKES	23,770	88 km
2011	KIZER 5	20,859	64 km
2018	380	19,287	90 km
2006	JET	13,889	50 km
2017	1 SOUTH ANTELOPE	12,107	87 km
1989	CAPROCK	11,492	80 km
2006	TATUM WEST	10,960	99 km
2008	UNNAMED	10,085	56 km
2011	BURNING TENT	9,473	92 km
2006	FOUR LAKES	9,226	90 km
1991	BIG	9,184	66 km
2011	FATHERS DAY	8,947	87 km
2006	FM 214 CR 210	8,848	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	42°F (6°C)	0.5 in
March	49°F (10°C)	0.5 in
April	57°F (14°C)	0.6 in
May	66°F (19°C)	1.6 in
June	75°F (24°C)	2.6 in
July	80°F (27°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
September	69°F (21°C)	2.1 in
October	59°F (15°C)	1.4 in
November	46°F (8°C)	0.7 in
December	39°F (4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Portales has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 39°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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