Weather & Climate in Salem, NM

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

Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 83°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 10.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,156 feet.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 83°F Jul (29°C)

Annual Average	63.2°F
	17% above US avg
January Average	44°F (7°C)
July Average	83°F (29°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,156 ft (1,267 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density	637/sq mi
Coordinates	32.7121°N, 107.2056°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Luna County County
Nearest Airport	Las Cruces International (LRU) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.6"

72% below US avg

Snowfall 0.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.28"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.16"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	51.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	80.9 / 100
Community Resilience	1.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Feb 8, 2015	36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.9	53 km	4 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	149 km	5 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	122 km	0 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	147 km	5 km
May 19, 2011	40 km SSE of Datil, New Mexico	M3.2	130 km	5 km
Jun 10, 1993	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.2	122 km	0 km
Feb 1, 2015	34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	57 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2015	35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	56 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2015	38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.1	50 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M3.0	52 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico	M3.0	50 km	5 km
Jan 27, 2013	13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico	M2.9	96 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico	M2.9	62 km	8 km
Sep 6, 1991	8 km NNW of Mimbres, New Mexico	M2.8	81 km	10 km
Jan 3, 2025	50 km NW of Tularosa, New Mexico	M2.8	110 km	10 km
Sep 10, 2015	38 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M2.8	150 km	5 km
Feb 15, 2015	34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M2.8	60 km	5 km
Apr 16, 2008	17 km W of Carrizozo, New Mexico	M2.7	150 km	5 km
Aug 20, 2009	3 km SSE of Socorro, New Mexico	M2.7	150 km	5 km
Feb 8, 2015	38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico	M2.6	59 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 12, 1957	EF3	91 km	8.2 mi	0
Oct 9, 2006	EF1	67 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 28, 1989	EF1	44 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 19, 1979	EF1	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1979	EF1	98 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 16, 1971	EF1	48 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 1971	EF1	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 29, 1959	EF1	90 km	0.1 mi	0
May 2, 2007	EF0	92 km	8.4 mi	0
May 2, 2007	EF0	91 km	0.6 mi	0
Apr 29, 2007	EF0	44 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 13, 2006	EF0	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 2, 2002	EF0	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 19, 2001	EF0	61 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 22, 1988	EF0	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 22, 1987	EF0	6 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1982	EF0	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 2, 1981	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1979	EF0	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 25, 1975	EF0	93 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (168 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	168 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLACK (328,091 acres, 2022).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2022	BLACK	328,091	80 km
2013	SILVER	137,884	66 km
2009	DIAMOND	32,021	94 km
1995	BONNER	26,381	82 km
1994	UNNAMED	14,645	78 km
2011	ABRAMS	12,786	78 km
2009	MEASON	12,781	89 km
2006	SKATES	11,285	95 km
1994	BLACK	10,695	98 km
2001	BENNETT MT	10,249	68 km
1997	UNNAMED	9,423	82 km
1989	DIVIDE	9,393	85 km
1993	UVAS	8,541	17 km
2017	ROUND	7,539	94 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,496	66 km
2010	LONG CANYON	6,656	80 km
2003	UNNAMED	6,555	94 km
1999	HERMOSA	6,463	66 km
2010	AREA 74 UNITS 9 AND 10	6,415	100 km
2003	SECO	6,161	73 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	44°F (7°C)	0.5 in
February	46°F (8°C)	0.4 in
March	52°F (11°C)	0.3 in
April	59°F (15°C)	0.2 in	Driest
May	67°F (20°C)	0.3 in
June	76°F (25°C)	0.7 in
July	83°F (29°C)	2.0 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	2.3 in	Wettest
September	71°F (22°C)	1.7 in
October	60°F (16°C)	1.1 in
November	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in
December	42°F (5°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 42°F in December to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.3") and April the driest (0.2").

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