Weather & Climate in Tatum, NM

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

Tatum enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 15.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 3,996 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,996 ft (1,218 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density	463/sq mi
Coordinates	33.2554°N, 103.3108°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Yoakum County County
Nearest Airport	Lea County Regional (HOB) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.2"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 6.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.80"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	46.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	90.9 / 100
Community Resilience	1.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

242 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.

Jan 2, 1992	12 km SSE of Eunice, New Mexico	M4.6	104 km	5 km
Mar 28, 2010	25 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M4.1	144 km	4 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	146 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	144 km	1 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	124 km	5 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	143 km	5 km
Jul 19, 2021	37 km ESE of Malaga, New Mexico	M4.0	137 km	8 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	147 km	10 km
Apr 25, 2024	20 km SW of Jal, New Mexico	M3.9	143 km	8 km
Mar 5, 2024	37 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.8	145 km	6 km
Apr 25, 2024	20 km SW of Jal, New Mexico	M3.8	143 km	9 km
Jul 10, 2025	33 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.7	148 km	8 km
Jun 12, 2025	34 km SE of Malaga, New Mexico	M3.7	147 km	8 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	144 km	5 km
May 2, 2025	36 km SSW of Los Ybanez, Texas	M3.6	143 km	6 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	129 km	5 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	118 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2025	19 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico	M3.5	147 km	8 km
Sep 22, 2023	New Mexico	M3.5	108 km	8 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	148 km	1 km

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

Tornado History

266 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 41 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 17, 1970	EF4	74 km	30.0 mi	0
May 10, 1991	EF3	94 km	8.5 mi	0
Apr 19, 1969	EF3	86 km	0.1 mi	0
May 17, 1954	EF3	32 km	0.1 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	79 km	2.9 mi	0
May 23, 2022	EF2	82 km	7.6 mi	0
May 26, 2019	EF2	70 km	9.5 mi	0
Jun 19, 2013	EF2	74 km	5.2 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	68 km	1.5 mi	0
Mar 23, 2007	EF2	19 km	8.4 mi	0
Jun 27, 1992	EF2	93 km	0.9 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	75 km	4.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	62 km	17.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	70 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1991	EF2	70 km	10.0 mi	0
May 27, 1982	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1981	EF2	96 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1980	EF2	83 km	45.0 mi	0
Jun 14, 1972	EF2	19 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 13, 1971	EF2	89 km	4.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MCDONALD (92,790 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	MCDONALD	92,790	11 km
2011	ENTERPRISE	77,368	28 km
2009	CATO	53,730	56 km
2018	206	40,247	41 km
2000	VALENTINE COMPLEX	35,678	6 km
2000	GRANDE COMPLEX	34,597	27 km
2008	STILES COMPLEX	27,841	46 km
2011	MARTIN 2	26,841	43 km
2009	238	24,831	58 km
2008	FOUR LAKES	23,770	16 km
2011	KIZER 5	20,859	41 km
1988	FORT	20,320	16 km
2018	380	19,287	14 km
2006	BUCKEYE I	19,027	58 km
2008	UNNAMED	16,027	41 km
1988	TATUM	15,149	13 km
2011	JACKIE	14,622	17 km
2017	1 SOUTH ANTELOPE	12,107	57 km
1989	ONEIL	11,984	29 km
1989	WATTS	11,602	35 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	44°F (6°C)	0.5 in
March	50°F (10°C)	0.5 in
April	58°F (14°C)	0.6 in
May	67°F (19°C)	1.9 in
June	75°F (24°C)	2.4 in
July	78°F (26°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
September	70°F (21°C)	2.5 in
October	60°F (16°C)	1.5 in
November	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in
December	41°F (5°C)	0.5 in

Tatum has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.4").

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