Harding County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Harding County, NM in extreme drought (D3); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 33 straight weeks. Rain has run 222% of normal over the last 30 days (well above normal) and 169% over 90 days, so the past month has been wetter than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and today carries the week's highest rain chance at 90% (high 67°). Harding County (county seat: Mosquero) is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 5 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Dalhart, 73 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 222% of normal
- Last 60 days 262% of normal
- Last 90 days 169% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 7–11) Leans toward near-normal rain
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 9–15) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Cloudy then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 67°, low 52°, 90% rain, wind 15–30 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 65°, low 43°, 5% rain, wind 15–30 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 63°, low 39°, 0% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 65°, low 41°, 6% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 62°, low 38°, 2% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 62°, low 40°, 11% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 62°, low 39°, 20% rain, wind 5–10 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Harding County right now. A 30-day window opens when the county first hits severe drought (D2), jumps to D3 or D4, or after a blizzard, extreme heat or cold, flood or ice warning, a wildfire, or a USDA disaster designation. Keep a Drought Ledger.
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
Harding County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (severe or worse drought, Sep 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2026).
Why it matters: if you sold breeding, dairy or draft livestock because of drought, the tax code may let you put off the gain (more time to buy replacement animals, or report the extra-sale income a year later). Your tax preparer decides whether either applies.
Work out your numbers and print a page for your preparer
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Ask your tax preparer. FSA decides program eligibility. IRS Notice 2026-54 (PDF)
5-wt steers, nearest barns
Steers 500–599 lb, $/cwt, weekly average.
| Barn | Last sale | 5-wt steers |
|---|---|---|
| Dalhart 73 mi | Oct 29 | $413 |
| Clovis 107 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
| Wildorado 108 mi | Oct 27 | $409 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt, per 100 lb), calculated from USDA AMS Market News sale reports (Medium & Large 1 and 1-2). Not a USDA-published average. ≈ $/head = $/cwt × the middle of the weight class ÷ 100.
Guide: How to read a USDA sale barn report
All weights at the 3 nearest barns
6 more within 200 mi: La Junta LJLC (145 mi), La Junta Winter (148 mi), Tulia (149 mi), Roswell (174 mi), Belen (183 mi), Beaver (197 mi).
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in New Mexico · County seat: Mosquero
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Harding County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Harding County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 5 monthly payments for some pasture types. FSA decides each operation's eligibility; apply at your county FSA office by March 1 after the loss year.
What is the drought level in Harding County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Harding County was in extreme drought (D3), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 58% of the county. 33 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Harding County?
No burn ban is listed for Harding County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Harding County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Dalhart (73 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Clovis (107 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Wildorado (108 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 10, 2026: First half of property taxes due to the county treasurer; Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance. FSA program dates not posted officially are marked "confirm at source" on the calendar.
Source: official agency pages (see Calendar)
Information only; not financial or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Always check the linked official source.