Weather & Climate in Twin Forks, NM

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

Twin Forks experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 60°F in July. The area gets 328 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 28.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 66.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 8,353 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 60°F Jul (16°C)

Annual Average	45.7°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-1°C)
July Average	60°F (16°C)
Sunny Days	328 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	8,353 ft (2,546 m)
Area	4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²)
Population Density	74/sq mi
Coordinates	32.9385°N, 105.6464°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Otero County County
Nearest Airport	Alamogordo-White Sands Regional (ALM) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.5"

25% below US avg

Snowfall 66.8"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.49"

Driest Month (Apr) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.5 / 100
Community Resilience	4.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

94 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	121 km	4 km
Mar 14, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	103 km	1 km
Feb 23, 2024	15 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	120 km	5 km
May 31, 2010	33 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M4.0	108 km	5 km
May 23, 2004	31 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M4.0	111 km	5 km
Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	143 km	5 km
May 30, 1999	26 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.9	100 km	10 km
Jun 22, 2004	32 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.7	109 km	5 km
Jun 21, 2003	15 km SW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.6	111 km	5 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	146 km	5 km
Mar 17, 1999	25 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.5	99 km	1 km
Mar 20, 2025	37 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.5	109 km	9 km
Feb 24, 2024	6 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.5	120 km	2 km
Apr 12, 2025	19 km NNW of Whites City, New Mexico	M3.5	131 km	8 km
Jun 20, 1991	47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico	M3.5	108 km	0 km
May 29, 2024	13 km S of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	120 km	9 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	141 km	10 km
Sep 17, 2002	27 km SSE of Hope, New Mexico	M3.4	103 km	10 km
Apr 18, 2023	23 km W of Carlsbad, New Mexico	M3.4	125 km	5 km
Aug 26, 2004	23 km SSW of Atoka, New Mexico	M3.4	114 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

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

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 27, 1982	EF2	31 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF1	28 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 8, 2014	EF1	88 km	1.8 mi	0
Apr 8, 2004	EF1	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1991	EF1	38 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 22, 1989	EF1	33 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 10, 1989	EF1	99 km	8.0 mi	0
May 16, 1987	EF1	70 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1972	EF1	54 km	6.1 mi	0
Sep 17, 1971	EF1	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	57 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 3, 1959	EF1	33 km	0.1 mi	0
May 28, 2021	EF0	99 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 2020	EF0	32 km	0.6 mi	0
Jun 4, 2019	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 3, 2019	EF0	96 km	1.4 mi	0
May 8, 2019	EF0	76 km	0.0 mi	0
May 23, 2018	EF0	45 km	4.1 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	54 km	4.7 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (97 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	97 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	49 km
2004	PEPPIN	60,546	80 km
2008	ROCKY	48,019	90 km
2012	LITTLE BEAR	37,935	57 km
2011	MAYHILL	33,563	23 km
2009	FOUR MILE	27,609	63 km
1993	ESCONDIDO	25,700	91 km
2008	BONNEY	22,162	61 km
2011	BATON ROUGE COMPLEX	21,641	68 km
2011	CROOKED CREEK	19,206	61 km
2011	ACREY	18,720	95 km
2009	PICACHO	16,411	56 km
2002	NUMBER 52	16,067	45 km
1994	YELLOWWELL	16,010	38 km
2019	PINE LODGE	15,141	86 km
2000	SCOTTABLE	15,017	20 km
2009	OROGRANDE	14,853	82 km
2002	PENASCO	14,343	11 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	100 km
2000	HAY MEADOW	13,553	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-1°C)	1.1 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	1.1 in
March	42°F (6°C)	0.9 in
April	49°F (9°C)	0.6 in	Driest
May	56°F (13°C)	1.1 in
June	64°F (18°C)	1.9 in	Warmest
July	60°F (16°C)	4.0 in
August	64°F (18°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
September	59°F (15°C)	3.1 in
October	52°F (11°C)	1.7 in
November	42°F (5°C)	1.1 in
December	36°F (2°C)	1.4 in

Twin Forks has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 31°F in January to 64°F in June. Total annual precipitation is 22.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (0.6").

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