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Weather & Climate in White Cliffs, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
White Cliffs experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°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 12.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 20.6 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 6,593 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.2°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6,593 ft (2,010 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,419/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5490°N, 108.6643°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | McKinley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Four Corners Regional (FMN) 86 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | No Rating |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Volcano | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| May 18, 2023 | 8 km ENE of San Mateo, New Mexico | M3.8 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Oct 20, 2016 | 3 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M3.5 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2009 | 29 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M3.4 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 22 km NNW of Saint Johns, Arizona | M3.1 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2021 | 24 km SW of Lake Valley, New Mexico | M3.1 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2009 | 17 km SSE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2020 | 5 km WNW of Tsaile, Arizona | M2.8 | 102 km | 14 km |
| Aug 10, 2019 | 5 km E of Bluewater Village, New Mexico | M2.8 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Nov 28, 2009 | 28 km SE of Eagle Nest, New Mexico | M2.7 | 148 km | 5 km |
| May 14, 2011 | 27 km W of Alamo, New Mexico | M2.7 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jan 30, 2023 | 18 km WSW of Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico | M2.7 | 85 km | 5 km |
| May 8, 2025 | 44 km SSW of San Rafael, New Mexico | M2.6 | 108 km | 8 km |
| May 20, 2024 | 11 km WNW of Ramah, New Mexico | M2.6 | 44 km | 11 km |
| Aug 26, 2024 | 8 km S of Rough Rock, Arizona | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2014 | 4 km WSW of Sun Valley, Arizona | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Aug 25, 2024 | 13 km NNE of Round Rock, Arizona | M2.5 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 23, 2006 | 5 km NNW of Seboyeta, New Mexico | M2.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2022 | 11 km NW of Many Farms, Arizona | M2.5 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
4 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF0.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2021 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2019 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2005 | EF0 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 9, 2003 | EF0 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
2 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Zuni-Bandera (103 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Zuni-Bandera | Volcanic field | 2,550 m (8,366 ft) | -1170 | 103 km |
| Red Hill | Volcanic field | 2,300 m (7,546 ft) | -9450 | 145 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHERRY (15,105 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | CHERRY | 15,105 | 95 km |
| 2020 | WOOD SPRINGS 2 | 13,208 | 71 km |
| 2014 | ASSAYII LAKE | 13,176 | 56 km |
| 2018 | DIENER CANYON | 9,824 | 66 km |
| 2004 | SEDGWICK | 9,241 | 66 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE WATER1 | 4,342 | 50 km |
| 2018 | BLUE WATER | 3,663 | 62 km |
| 2005 | HOOK LAKE | 3,609 | 75 km |
| 2009 | SAWMILL ROAD RX | 3,411 | 59 km |
| 2019 | REDONDO RX | 3,382 | 58 km |
| 1999 | LA JARA | 3,249 | 96 km |
| 2004 | TURKEY SPRING | 3,017 | 78 km |
| 2007 | OAK RIDGE 3 | 2,959 | 68 km |
| 2004 | SANDSPRING | 2,935 | 57 km |
| 1996 | ALLENTOWN5 | 2,653 | 60 km |
| 2010 | FLUTED ROCK LAKE RX | 2,630 | 64 km |
| 1989 | MALPAIS | 2,300 | 96 km |
| 2004 | BROADCAST BLOCK 1 | 2,285 | 88 km |
| 2006 | KINLICHEE CANYON 1 | 2,283 | 54 km |
| 1996 | HDSCRABBLE | 2,217 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 0.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 2.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
White Cliffs has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 29°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 12.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.1") and May the driest (0.5").