Weather & Climate in Vaughn, NM

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

Vaughn experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°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 13.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 5,969 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	51.8°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	330 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,969 ft (1,819 m)
Area	5.6 sq mi (14.5 km²)
Population Density	98/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6072°N, 105.2126°W
Timezone	America/Denver
County	Torrance County County
Nearest Airport	Sierra Blanca Regional (RUI) 81 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 13.8"

64% below US avg

Snowfall 25.7"

Wettest Month (Aug) 2.91"

Driest Month (Mar) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	46.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.8 / 100
Community Resilience	2.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
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

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

Feb 27, 1990	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.9	146 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1990	5 km SE of McIntosh, New Mexico	M3.7	77 km	10 km
Feb 21, 1990	31 km ENE of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.6	139 km	5 km
Jan 4, 1998	5 km NE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.6	90 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	86 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2012	4 km WNW of Belen, New Mexico	M3.5	147 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km E of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.5	87 km	5 km
Jul 22, 2013	25 km E of San Antonio, New Mexico	M3.4	147 km	5 km
Dec 31, 1997	8 km ENE of Mountainair, New Mexico	M3.4	86 km	5 km
Jul 22, 1996	11 km WSW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.4	64 km	10 km
Mar 19, 1995	8 km SSE of Newkirk, New Mexico	M3.3	101 km	5 km
Mar 24, 1996	8 km WNW of Corona, New Mexico	M3.3	58 km	10 km
Sep 16, 2015	9 km SE of La Joya, New Mexico	M3.2	148 km	6 km
Dec 22, 1993	0 km W of Ruidoso, New Mexico	M3.2	148 km	10 km
Apr 29, 2025	5 km WNW of Veguita, New Mexico	M3.1	147 km	10 km
Apr 30, 2023	5 km ENE of La Joya, New Mexico	M3.1	147 km	5 km
Sep 29, 2017	17 km S of Mora, New Mexico	M3.1	135 km	5 km
Jan 27, 2013	5 km ESE of La Joya, New Mexico	M3.1	148 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2007	5 km W of La Cienega, New Mexico	M3.0	139 km	5 km
Apr 1, 2025	22 km S of Newkirk, New Mexico	M3.0	95 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 1978	EF2	46 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 1993	EF1	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 8, 1989	EF1	82 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1989	EF1	44 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1989	EF1	56 km	8.0 mi	0
Jun 1, 1989	EF1	35 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1981	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 10, 1964	EF1	45 km	0.1 mi	0
May 18, 1964	EF1	43 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 1959	EF1	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 2019	EF0	21 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2019	EF0	35 km	4.2 mi	0
Jun 3, 2018	EF0	77 km	2.6 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	47 km	0.3 mi	0
May 21, 2018	EF0	62 km	2.4 mi	0
May 21, 2017	EF0	92 km	2.2 mi	0
May 9, 2017	EF0	61 km	4.9 mi	0
Apr 14, 2017	EF0	71 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 15, 2016	EF0	21 km	1.4 mi	0
Jul 17, 2016	EF0	99 km	0.0 mi	0

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

Nearby Volcanoes

1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (113 km).

Name	Type	Elevation	Last Eruption	Distance
Carrizozo	Pyroclastic cone(s)	1,731 m (5,679 ft)	-3250	113 km

Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JOHNNY (34,324 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JOHNNY	34,324	81 km
1997	PEREZ	30,288	22 km
2006	LUMBRE	15,598	35 km
2009	VISTA	14,294	90 km
2009	EAST TRANSWESTERN	13,751	76 km
2008	CHOLLA	13,154	83 km
1989	BURGETTE	10,576	33 km
2011	BURNING TENT	9,473	94 km
1992	FRONTIER	8,454	81 km
2018	LITTLE CONCHAS	7,429	87 km
1988	ROSA	7,387	41 km
2008	UNNAMED	7,351	40 km
2006	PIPELINE	7,137	72 km
2011	MILAGRO	7,102	45 km
2022	BIGGS	6,994	59 km
2000	VAUGHN	6,967	19 km
2008	ELDRIDGE	6,096	90 km
2000	GREEN	5,598	79 km
1992	NEWTON	5,386	73 km
1989	BURGETTE	4,935	87 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	38°F (3°C)	0.5 in
March	43°F (6°C)	0.4 in	Driest
April	50°F (10°C)	0.4 in
May	59°F (15°C)	0.9 in
June	68°F (20°C)	1.6 in
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
September	65°F (18°C)	1.6 in
October	54°F (12°C)	1.0 in
November	43°F (6°C)	0.5 in
December	35°F (2°C)	0.6 in

Vaughn has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 13.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.9") and March the driest (0.4").

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