Taos County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Taos County, NM was in moderate drought (D1) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 34% at severe drought (D2); week 83 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Over 90 days rain is at 215% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 226% (well above normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and the NWS forecast peaks at a 91% rain chance on today (high 56°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Taos County with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Belen, 141 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 226% of normal
- Last 60 days 300% of normal
- Last 90 days 215% 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 Showers And Thunderstorms, high 56°, low 36°, 91% rain, wind 15–20 mph
- Monday Scattered Rain Showers, high 48°, low 27°, 53% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 53°, low 26°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Wednesday Isolated Rain Showers, high 53°, low 26°, 15% rain, wind 0–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 53°, low 26°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 54°, low 26°, 9% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Saturday Sunny, high 53°, low 26°, 12% 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 Taos 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
Taos 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Belen 141 mi | Oct 30 | $375 |
| La Junta LJLC 145 mi | Oct 28 | $406 |
| La Junta Winter 152 mi | Oct 27 | $379 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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.
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Taos County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Taos 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 Taos County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Taos County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 34% of the county. 83 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Taos County?
No burn ban is listed for Taos County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Taos County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Belen (141 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; La Junta LJLC (145 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; La Junta Winter (152 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.