All Countries
Weather & Climate in White Sands, NM
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
White Sands enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°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 12.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 4,236 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.2°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 330 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,236 ft (1,291 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 374/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.3804°N, 106.4791°W |
| Timezone | America/Denver |
| County | Doña Ana County County |
| Nearest Airport | Las Cruces International (LRU) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 4.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Volcano | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.9 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Jun 20, 1991 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.5 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Dec 22, 1993 | 0 km W of Ruidoso, New Mexico | M3.2 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jun 10, 1993 | 47 km SE of San Antonito, New Mexico | M3.2 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2015 | 35 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2015 | 38 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.1 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km W of Fairacres, New Mexico | M3.0 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 36 km E of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M3.0 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jan 27, 2013 | 13 km SW of Sunshine, New Mexico | M2.9 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 35 km ESE of Ventura, New Mexico | M2.9 | 83 km | 8 km |
| Apr 5, 2012 | 10 km NE of Fabens, Texas | M2.9 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2025 | 50 km NW of Tularosa, New Mexico | M2.8 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Feb 15, 2015 | 34 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.8 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Apr 16, 2008 | 17 km W of Carrizozo, New Mexico | M2.7 | 147 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 6 km W of Nogal, New Mexico | M2.7 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Feb 8, 2015 | 38 km ESE of Pecan Park, New Mexico | M2.6 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jun 5, 2009 | 3 km SE of Praxedis G. Guerrero, Mexico | M2.6 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Mar 6, 2012 | 9 km E of Fort Bliss, Texas | M2.5 | 66 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 injury.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 27, 1982 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 2019 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1992 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1992 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1992 | EF1 | 82 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1991 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1989 | EF1 | 73 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 1989 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1979 | EF1 | 44 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1974 | EF1 | 92 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1972 | EF1 | 63 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1959 | EF1 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1959 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 2020 | EF0 | 69 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2019 | EF0 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2011 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2007 | EF0 | 93 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2007 | EF0 | 21 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2007 | EF0 | 32 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 29, 2007 | EF0 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Carrizozo (164 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Carrizozo | Pyroclastic cone(s) | 1,731 m (5,679 ft) | -3250 | 164 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ESCONDIDO (25,700 acres, 1993).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1993 | ESCONDIDO | 25,700 | 62 km |
| 2000 | SCOTTABLE | 15,017 | 92 km |
| 2009 | OROGRANDE | 14,853 | 41 km |
| 1994 | HAT | 14,842 | 62 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 14,645 | 7 km |
| 2000 | HAY MEADOW | 13,553 | 71 km |
| 2011 | ABRAMS | 12,786 | 7 km |
| 2001 | BENNETT MT | 10,249 | 22 km |
| 1993 | UVAS | 8,541 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,496 | 14 km |
| 1989 | CLI | 7,469 | 75 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 7,001 | 59 km |
| 2010 | LONG CANYON | 6,656 | 15 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 6,605 | 56 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 6,482 | 51 km |
| 2011 | CENTENNIAL | 6,269 | 60 km |
| 1993 | MARTIN | 5,290 | 54 km |
| 1994 | BRIDGE | 5,041 | 79 km |
| 2018 | ORGAN | 4,880 | 9 km |
| 2022 | POTRILLO | 4,293 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 0.5 in | |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 0.2 in | Driest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 0.2 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 0.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 0.9 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 1.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 2.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
White Sands has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 10.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (2.2") and March the driest (0.2").