The Tularosa Basin is a high desert area averaging 4000 ft. in elevation and is subject to harsh and sometimes rapidly changing climatic conditions. Summers are hot with occasional readings over 100 degrees F. Winters are relatively mild with infrequent snowfall, even though temperatures occasionally drop below zero. Precipitation averages about 8 inches per year with most of this occurring during summer thunderstorms. Low humidity moderates the high summer temperatures.
The monsoon season of July, August, and September averages 1.35 inches of rain monthly while the remainder of the year averages .45 inches monthly. The average annual rainfall is 8.11 inches, obtained from data collected from 1939 through 1982.
June, July, and August high temperatures average 96 degrees F while lows for these months average a pleasant 62 degrees. December, January, and February high temperatures average 59 with average lows of 23 degrees F.
The prevailing southwest wind is the dominant climatic factor during the spring and often reaches gale force during this time. Wind storms can last several days during the spring and this is the time of greatest dune movement, when living conditions for dune animal and plant communities become extremelly harsh.
