Weather

Summer view from Cliff Dweller Canyon.
Summer view from Cliff Dweller Canyon.

NPS Photo by Bob Griffis

 

Current Weather Conditions

National Weather Service Forecast


Climate and Weather

The park has a mild climate, with a rainy season usually from July through August. Spring and Fall have moderate days and cool nights. Winter months often have nice afternoons with cold mornings and nights.

Figures below show monthly average High Temperature, Low Temperature, and Precipitation.

Month

Average High

Average Low

Precipitation

January

51 ºF

17 ºF

.71 inches

February

58 ºF

23 ºF

.68 inches

March

63 ºF

25 ºF

.65 inches

April

75 ºF

30 ºF

.47 inches

May

75 ºF

42 ºF

.33 inches

June

84 ºF

40 ºF

.58 inches

July

91 ºF

48 ºF

2.81 inches

August

89 ºF

47 ºF

2.83 inches

September

86 ºF

38 ºF

1.88 inches

October

80 ºF

27 ºF

1.59 inches

November

63 ºF

12 ºF

.56 inches

December

55 ºF

15 ºF

1.44 inches


Temperatures

Daytime temperatures tend to be relatively mild or warm and nighttime temperatures tend to be relatively cool or cold throughout the year. Average temperatures in the higher elevation, particularly the Black Range, can be cooler by 10-20 degrees or more, depending on the season. Summer is the monsoon or rainy season with afternoon thunderstorms, accompanied by dangerous lightning, likely during July and August.

Lightning

If you are hiking and get caught in an area where lightning is striking, stay off ridges and away from open areas. Remove metallic objects from your pack or clothing and stay far away from anything that might serve as a lightning rod. Take shelter under a cluster of smaller trees, not under a large tree. It is not safe to shelter in shallow caves. Lightning seeks high points, the tallest object in an open area, and the biggest object (such as a large boulder). For more information about lightning safety, visit www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov.

Winter

During most winters the lower elevations tend to be free of snow most of the time and when it does snow the melt-off usually occurs within a few days. Normally there is some snow accumulation in the higher elevations and during severe winters, the snow may range up to 10 feet or more in the Mogollon Range. Melt-off usually occurs during late March and April, but snow and ice may hinder travel on upper elevation trails as late as June.

 
Winter view from Cliff Dweller Canyon.
Winter view from Cliff Dweller Canyon.

NPS Photo by Bob Griffis

Last updated: May 11, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

26 Jim Bradford Trail
Mimbres, NM 88049

Phone:

575-536-9461

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