Lea County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Lea County, NM was abnormally dry (D0) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 2% at moderate drought (D1); four weeks earlier 100% of the county was in moderate drought (D1) or worse, now 2%. Rain has run 165% of normal over the last 30 days (well above normal) and 155% over 90 days; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain) and the best rain chance this week is 21% on Saturday (high 67°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Lea County with up to 2 monthly payments, and Roswell is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 76 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 165% of normal
- Last 60 days 224% of normal
- Last 90 days 155% 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 6–10) Leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain)
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 8–14) Leans wetter than normal (33% chance of above-normal rain)
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Oct 31, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Patchy Fog then Mostly Cloudy, high 74°, low 59°, 19% rain, wind 15–20 mph
- Monday Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust, high 73°, low 50°, 0% rain, wind 10–35 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 68°, low 46°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 71°, low 47°, 1% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 69°, low 44°, 0% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 47°, 15% rain, wind 5 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 67°, low 45°, 21% 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 Lea 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
Lea 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)
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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
On FSA's 2026 list for 5 pasture types. Up to 2 monthly payments.
Bring head counts, grazing leases and pasture acres to your county FSA office.
How to read this
Each bar is a pasture type; the number is how many monthly payments it qualifies for (1 to 5).
Pasture table
| Pasture type | Grazing period | Qualifying date | Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Season Improved | 2026-03-15 to 2026-11-15 | 2026-04-11 | 2 |
| Long Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-06-01 | 2025-12-01 | 2 |
| Native Pasture | 2026-01-01 to 2026-12-31 | 2026-01-28 | 2 |
| Short Season Small Grains | 2025-11-01 to 2026-03-15 | 2025-12-01 | 2 |
| Forage Sorghum | 2026-07-15 to 2026-10-15 | 2026-09-21 | 1 |
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Jul 28, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2026 - Jul 28, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2026 - May 6, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2026 - Apr 24, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Lea declared · crop year 2026 - Apr 10, 2026 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2026 - Mar 25, 2025 · Drought
Lea declared · crop year 2025 - Mar 25, 2025 · Drought
Neighboring county declared (counts for Lea) · crop year 2025
"Declared" means USDA named this county. "Neighboring" means it touches a declared county. Either way, FSA emergency loans can open for about 8 months. FSA designation files (dated Jan 28, 2026, Oct 19, 2026). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Lea County is on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list, starting Sep 1, 2026. Trigger: D2 (severe) drought on the Drought Monitor. Get an updated conservation plan from FSA before cutting or turning out.
Before haying and grazing, contact your FSA county office to see if your county remains eligible and/or obtain a modified conservation plan. This list is cumulative for the year and current local conditions may have changed.
Source: FSA eligible-county table posted Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Animal health notices: New Mexico
Statewide notices from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico Livestock Board. The agency does not publish county-by-county zones, so these are not specific to Lea County.
- Oct 27, 2026 news release
NM confirms New World screwworm cases in Doña Ana County - Oct 23, 2026 news release
NM confirms New World screwworm case in Hidalgo County - Oct 21, 2026 news release
NM confirms New World screwworm case in Otero County - Oct 15, 2026 news release
NM confirms two additional New World screwworm cases
Suspect a case? Call the New Mexico Livestock Board at 505-841-6161 (official page).
Source: New Mexico Department of Agriculture and New Mexico Livestock Board (nmdeptag.nmsu.edu); each item is dated by the agency. Latest item as of Oct 27, 2026. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Minnesota | USDA Designates Numerous Counties in Minnesota as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Maine | USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Maine Impacted by Drought | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | North Carolina | USDA Designates 13 North Carolina Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Eight Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Lea County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Lea County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 2 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 Lea County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Lea County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 2% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Lea County?
No burn ban is listed for Lea County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Lea County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Roswell (76 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Clovis (111 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Tulia (152 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.