Weather & Climate in Tularosa, NM

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

Tularosa enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°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 10.8 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 4,515 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.2°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	42°F (6°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,515 ft (1,376 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density	916/sq mi
Coordinates	33.0750°N, 106.0173°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Socorro County County
Nearest Airport	Alamogordo-White Sands Regional (ALM) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 10.8"

72% below US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 1.89"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.24"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	61.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	97.6 / 100
Community Resilience	4.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	No Rating
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low
Volcano	Very Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

65 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	149 km	5 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	140 km	1 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	145 km	5 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	111 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	138 km	10 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	147 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	148 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	115 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	146 km	9 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	74 km	0 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	137 km	1 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	109 km	5 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	141 km	10 km
May 23, 2007	4 km WNW of Socorro, New Mexico	M3.4	140 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	129 km	10 km
Mar 11, 2014	8 km ENE of Luis Lopez, New Mexico	M3.3	128 km	8 km
Mar 24, 1996	8 km WNW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.3	136 km	10 km
Mar 20, 2025	35 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.3	146 km	15 km
Apr 3, 2025	35 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.3	143 km	5 km
Dec 22, 1993	0 km W of Ruidoso, New Mexico	M3.2	42 km	10 km

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

Tornado History

33 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	16 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	91 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	1 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	20 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	75 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	50 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	11 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	26 km	0.3 mi	0
May 31, 2021	EF0	85 km	0.9 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	29 km	0.6 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	65 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	73 km	4.1 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	91 km	4.7 mi	0
Jul 26, 2015	EF0	39 km	0.2 mi	0
May 14, 2010	EF0	54 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 2008	EF0	96 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 25, 2007	EF0	33 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (79 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	79 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	70 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	86 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	48 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	59 km
1996	UNNAMED	22,591	66 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	87 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	98 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	95 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	91 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	61 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	59 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	94 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	52 km
2009	OROGRANDE	14,853	88 km
1994	UNNAMED	14,645	95 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	48 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	98 km
2000	HAY MEADOW	13,553	82 km
1998	UNNAMED	12,998	50 km
2011	ABRAMS	12,786	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (6°C)	0.5 in
February	46°F (8°C)	0.4 in
March	52°F (11°C)	0.4 in
April	60°F (15°C)	0.2 in	Driest
May	69°F (20°C)	0.5 in
June	77°F (25°C)	0.8 in
July	79°F (26°C)	1.7 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	1.9 in	Wettest
September	71°F (22°C)	1.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	1.1 in
November	49°F (10°C)	0.6 in
December	42°F (5°C)	0.8 in	Coldest

Tularosa has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and April the driest (0.2").

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