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Weather & Climate in Sunshine, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sunshine enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°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 8.8 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 4,262 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,262 ft (1,299 m) |
| Area | 17.6 sq mi (45.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 26/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.1344°N, 107.7838°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Luna County County |
| Nearest Airport | Las Cruces International (LRU) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
68 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Jun 29, 2014 | 13 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M5.3 | 139 km | 6 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 12 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M4.0 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 48 km | 4 km |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 11 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.9 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 9, 2014 | 13 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 5 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 2014 | 17 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 10, 2014 | 16 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2021 | 24 km SSE of Animas, New Mexico | M3.6 | 98 km | 16 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 16 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 11, 2014 | 12 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2014 | 19 km SSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jul 6, 2014 | Arizona | M3.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 14 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2020 | 28 km SSW of Rodeo, New Mexico | M3.5 | 139 km | 21 km |
| Apr 27, 2019 | 2 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 9 km S of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Mar 29, 2024 | 51 km E of Ascención, Mexico | M3.4 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Jun 29, 2014 | 10 km SW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.4 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Oct 3, 2023 | 3 km WSW of Franklin, Arizona | M3.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 12, 1957 | EF3 | 66 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 2006 | EF1 | 19 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1989 | EF1 | 54 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1979 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1971 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1971 | EF1 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1967 | EF1 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1961 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2015 | EF0 | 60 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2007 | EF0 | 88 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2007 | EF0 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2006 | EF0 | 89 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 15, 2005 | EF0 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2001 | EF0 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1987 | EF0 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF0 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1975 | EF0 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SILVER (137,884 acres, 2013).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2013 | SILVER | 137,884 | 95 km |
| 2011 | GODFREY | 13,536 | 100 km |
| 2020 | TADPOLE | 11,402 | 100 km |
| 1993 | UVAS | 8,541 | 73 km |
| 2014 | SIGNAL | 5,904 | 95 km |
| 2009 | BIG HATCHET LC63 | 5,433 | 78 km |
| 2007 | NM113-MM19 | 4,626 | 67 km |
| 1989 | KNIGHT | 4,323 | 86 km |
| 2022 | POTRILLO | 4,293 | 60 km |
| 1989 | GIAL I | 4,005 | 64 km |
| 2023 | RX WILLOW | 3,487 | 86 km |
| 1994 | GOODSIGHT | 3,450 | 51 km |
| 2010 | WILLOW | 3,354 | 86 km |
| 1989 | MULBERRY | 2,361 | 90 km |
| 1987 | ASPEN | 2,345 | 94 km |
| 1994 | GLASS | 2,333 | 98 km |
| 2011 | GREEN CHILE | 2,323 | 67 km |
| 1997 | POT | 2,255 | 62 km |
| 2014 | 2 HL COOKES RANGE 1 EAST | 2,165 | 44 km |
| 2000 | JUG | 2,093 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 0.3 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 0.8 in |
Sunshine has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 9.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (2.1") and April the driest (0.2").