Sierra County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Sierra County, NM was abnormally dry (D0) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 5% at moderate drought (D1); 5% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Sierra County has had 114% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 216% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans wetter than normal (40% chance of above-normal rain) and the NWS forecast peaks at a 80% rain chance on today (high 74°). Sierra County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Santa Teresa is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 91 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 114% of normal
- Last 60 days 343% of normal
- Last 90 days 216% 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 Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 74°, low 53°, 80% rain, wind 18–32 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 70°, low 43°, 2% rain, wind 6–18 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 65°, low 43°, 0% rain, wind 2–6 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 70°, low 43°, 0% rain, wind 2–16 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 69°, low 43°, 0% rain, wind 5–6 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 69°, low 45°, 13% rain, wind 3–8 mph
- Saturday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 68°, low 42°, 15% rain, wind 5–12 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 Sierra 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
Sierra 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 91 mi | Oct 30 | $378 |
| Belen 116 mi | Oct 30 | $375 |
| Roswell 156 mi | Oct 26 | $383 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Sierra County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Sierra County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 4 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 Sierra County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Sierra County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 5% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Sierra County?
No burn ban is listed for Sierra County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Sierra County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Santa Teresa (91 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; Belen (116 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; Roswell (156 mi), last report Oct 26, 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.