Luna County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Luna County, NM in moderate drought (D1); 54% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 81% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 176% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 313% (well above normal); the best rain chance this week is 75% on today (high 76°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain). Luna County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 3 monthly payments, and Santa Teresa is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 67 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 313% of normal
- Last 60 days 320% of normal
- Last 90 days 176% 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 Partly Sunny then Patchy Blowing Dust, high 76°, low 51°, 75% rain, wind 8–29 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 67°, low 39°, 2% rain, wind 2–26 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 68°, low 41°, 0% rain, wind 3–7 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 72°, low 42°, 0% rain, wind 3–7 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 72°, low 42°, 0% rain, wind 3–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 71°, low 43°, 11% rain, wind 5–6 mph
- Saturday Sunny, high 70°, low 42°, 13% rain, wind 6–10 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 Luna 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
Luna 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Teresa 67 mi | Oct 30 | $378 |
| Belen 186 mi | Oct 30 | $375 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 2 nearest barns
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Luna County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Luna County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 3 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 Luna County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Luna County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 54% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Luna County?
No official statewide list to check: this county is not on the official New Mexico state map; check the county's own fire-restriction notices.
What sale barns are near Luna County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Santa Teresa (67 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; Belen (186 mi), last report Oct 30, 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.