Weather & Climate in Roswell, NM

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

Roswell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°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 11.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,622 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	59.4°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,622 ft (1,104 m)
Area	29.9 sq mi (77.5 km²)
Population Density	1,609/sq mi
Coordinates	33.3734°N, 104.5294°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Chaves County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 11.6"

69% below US avg

Snowfall 9.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.48"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.3 / 100
Community Resilience	4.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

105 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	104 km	4 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	95 km	5 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	94 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	88 km	1 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	83 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	90 km	10 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	94 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	79 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	100 km	9 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	75 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2025	19 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico	M3.5	115 km	8 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	89 km	1 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	88 km	5 km
May 29, 2024	13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	81 km	9 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	89 km	10 km
Apr 18, 2023	23 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.4	109 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	143 km	10 km
Mar 24, 1996	8 km WNW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.3	146 km	10 km
Apr 3, 2025	35 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.3	98 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2025	35 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.3	97 km	15 km

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

Tornado History

97 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 13 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 12, 2019	EF2	42 km	15.2 mi	0
Apr 30, 1976	EF2	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1974	EF2	17 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 1962	EF2	4 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	87 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	17 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	61 km	8.0 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	88 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1981	EF1	10 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1979	EF1	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1967	EF1	14 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 31, 1966	EF1	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 1966	EF1	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 10, 1965	EF1	9 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 10, 1965	EF1	4 km	0.3 mi	0
Apr 4, 1965	EF1	54 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 21, 1964	EF1	14 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1961	EF1	20 km	0.1 mi	0
May 16, 1954	EF1	100 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 26, 2024	EF0	37 km	1.9 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (137 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	137 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	73 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	81 km
2009	CATO	53,730	69 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	94 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	88 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	55 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	47 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	60 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	68 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	83 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	83 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	73 km
2011	JACKIE	14,622	98 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	100 km
2006	JET	13,889	97 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	93 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	83 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	92 km
2017	1 SOUTH ANTELOPE	12,107	65 km
2009	FRESQUEZ 2	11,512	58 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	0.4 in
March	52°F (11°C)	0.3 in	Driest
April	60°F (15°C)	0.6 in
May	69°F (20°C)	1.2 in
June	77°F (25°C)	1.6 in
July	80°F (27°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
September	72°F (22°C)	2.0 in
October	62°F (16°C)	1.2 in
November	49°F (10°C)	0.5 in
December	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in

Roswell has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.5") and March the driest (0.3").

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