Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Capitan (USC00291440), New Mexico, United States, with 106 years of record.
Key Facts for Capitan
Capitan (USC00291440) is a weather station in New Mexico, United States at 33.53 latitude and -105.59 longitude, 1,975 m (6,480 ft) above sea level.
The station reports from 1909 to 2014, 106 years of record.
1,464 records set at Capitan still stand.
Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
Capitan set a daily record high minimum temperature of 15.0 C (59.0 F) on 24 September 2014.
About the Station
Location: New Mexico, United States, 33.53 latitude, -105.59 longitude.
Elevation: 1,975 m (6,480 ft).
Period of record: 1909 to 2014, 106 years.
Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.
Daily Record Envelope and 2026
0 days at or beyond a record
Record highRecord low2026 daily maximum2026 daily minimum
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Capitan. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Capitan, with 2026 drawn through them
Month
Highest record high
Lowest record low
2026 highest maximum
2026 lowest minimum
Jan
22.8 C (73.0 F)
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Feb
26.7 C (80.1 F)
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Mar
31.1 C (88.0 F)
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Apr
30.0 C (86.0 F)
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
n/a
n/a
May
34.4 C (93.9 F)
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Jun
38.3 C (100.9 F)
-2.2 C (28.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Jul
36.7 C (98.1 F)
-0.6 C (30.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Aug
36.1 C (97.0 F)
2.8 C (37.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Sep
35.0 C (95.0 F)
-4.4 C (24.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Oct
34.4 C (93.9 F)
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Nov
26.1 C (79.0 F)
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Dec
21.7 C (71.1 F)
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Which Years Hold Standing Records
1,464 standing records
Year with most
1,464 records at Capitan still stand. 1921 holds the most, with 51.
Standing records at Capitan by the year they were set
Year set
Standing records
1920
39
1921
51
1922
27
1923
26
1924
18
1925
25
1926
3
1927
21
1928
29
1929
35
1930
39
1931
31
1932
37
1933
41
1934
13
1935
26
1936
24
1937
23
1938
31
1939
38
1940
25
1941
16
1942
29
1943
1
1976
23
1977
18
1978
17
1979
18
1980
25
1981
28
1982
16
1983
21
1984
19
1985
24
1986
27
1987
31
1988
17
1989
33
1990
22
1991
9
1992
10
1993
13
1994
22
1995
18
1996
31
1997
20
1998
13
1999
19
2000
30
2001
11
2002
24
2003
28
2004
17
2005
22
2006
24
2007
10
2008
22
2009
21
2010
19
2011
35
2012
23
2013
24
2014
12
All-Time Record Progression
3 new records
3 all-time records were set at Capitan between 28 September 1941 and 2 February 2011. Each dot is a new record.
When Capitan set new all-time records
Date
Kind
Detail
1941-09-28
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 122.2 mm (4.8 in)
1990-06-25
Record high maximum temperature
Record high maximum temperature 38.3 C (100.9 F)
2011-02-02
Record low maximum temperature
Record low maximum temperature -15.6 C (3.9 F)
Wettest Day of Each Month
Sep: 122.2 mm (4.8 in)
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Capitan. The most was 122.2 mm (4.8 in) on 28 September 1941.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Capitan
Month
Record daily precipitation (mm)
Date
Jan
32.8 mm (1.3 in)
21 January 1926
Feb
32.8 mm (1.3 in)
19 February 1987
Mar
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
25 March 1941
Apr
30.2 mm (1.2 in)
2 April 1977
May
54.9 mm (2.2 in)
28 May 1937
Jun
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
28 June 1920
Jul
67.8 mm (2.7 in)
6 July 1950
Aug
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
29 August 1932
Sep
122.2 mm (4.8 in)
28 September 1941
Oct
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1 October 1998
Nov
33.8 mm (1.3 in)
3 November 1986
Dec
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
10 December 1923
Period of Record Coverage
1920 to 2014
Complete yearUnder 90 percent of days
63 years of record at Capitan, 1920 to 2014. 40 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1920, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927 and others.
Cooler than the station meanWarmer than the station mean
One stripe for each of 39 complete years at Capitan, 1920 to 2011. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 10.6 C (51.0 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1929, at 8.3 C (46.9 F), and the warmest was 2011, at 12.5 C (54.5 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 2.3 C (4.1 F).
Annual mean temperature at Capitan as warming stripes, 1920 to 2011
Year
Annual mean temperature
Difference from the station mean
1920
10.7 C
+0.09 C
1921
11.0 C
+0.45 C
1923
10.0 C
-0.59 C
1924
10.0 C
-0.56 C
1929
8.3 C
-2.30 C
1930
9.0 C
-1.56 C
1931
9.2 C
-1.42 C
1932
8.9 C
-1.64 C
1933
9.5 C
-1.10 C
1934
10.8 C
+0.24 C
1935
9.6 C
-1.02 C
1936
9.5 C
-1.03 C
1939
9.3 C
-1.23 C
1940
9.6 C
-0.93 C
1942
9.8 C
-0.81 C
1976
10.2 C
-0.40 C
1977
11.1 C
+0.54 C
1978
11.0 C
+0.46 C
1979
10.4 C
-0.16 C
1980
11.2 C
+0.61 C
1981
11.4 C
+0.85 C
1982
10.9 C
+0.30 C
1983
10.8 C
+0.24 C
1984
11.0 C
+0.42 C
1985
11.3 C
+0.70 C
1986
11.4 C
+0.80 C
1987
10.4 C
-0.18 C
1988
11.0 C
+0.42 C
1990
11.6 C
+1.00 C
1991
10.6 C
+0.05 C
1992
10.5 C
-0.08 C
1993
11.1 C
+0.48 C
1994
11.7 C
+1.11 C
1995
11.7 C
+1.09 C
1996
11.8 C
+1.23 C
1997
10.5 C
-0.09 C
1998
11.5 C
+0.93 C
2002
11.6 C
+1.05 C
2011
12.5 C
+1.92 C
The annual mean temperature here has risen by 0.2 C (0.2 to 0.3) per decade over 1920 to 2011. In Fahrenheit: 0.4 F (0.3 to 0.6) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 39 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.
Fitted temperature trends per decade at Capitan
Measure
Per decade (C)
Per decade (F)
Period
Complete years
Reading
Annual mean temperature
0.2 C (0.2 to 0.3) per decade
0.4 F (0.3 to 0.6) per decade
1920 to 2011
39
Rise
Mean daily maximum
0.2 C (0.1 to 0.3) per decade
0.4 F (0.2 to 0.6) per decade
1920 to 2011
39
Rise
Mean daily minimum
0.3 C (0.2 to 0.3) per decade
0.5 F (0.4 to 0.6) per decade
1920 to 2011
39
Rise
A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.
Extremes by Year
1909 to 2014
Yearly extremes at Capitan: the record and the median year
Measure
Record
Year of the record
Median year
Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1990
35.0 C (95.0 F)
63
Coldest night (TNn)
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
1929
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
64
Wettest day (Rx1day)
122.2 mm (4.8 in)
1941
35.6 mm (1.4 in)
95
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
130.1 mm (5.1 in)
1941
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
95
Longest dry spell (CDD)
114 days
1918
43 days
95
Hottest day (TXx)
The hottest day of the year at Capitan, 1909 to 2014. The record is 38.3 C (100.9 F) in 1990, marked on the chart; the median year is 35.0 C (95.0 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Capitan by year
Year
Hottest day (TXx)
1909
n/a
1910
n/a
1911
n/a
1912
n/a
1913
n/a
1914
n/a
1915
n/a
1916
n/a
1917
n/a
1918
n/a
1919
n/a
1920
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1921
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1922
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1923
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1924
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1925
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1926
29.4 C (84.9 F)
1927
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1928
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1929
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1930
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1931
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1932
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1933
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1934
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1935
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1936
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1937
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1938
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1939
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1940
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1941
31.1 C (88.0 F)
1942
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1943
18.3 C (64.9 F)
1945
n/a
1946
n/a
1947
n/a
1948
n/a
1949
n/a
1950
n/a
1951
n/a
1952
n/a
1953
n/a
1954
n/a
1955
n/a
1956
n/a
1957
n/a
1958
n/a
1959
n/a
1960
n/a
1961
n/a
1962
n/a
1963
n/a
1964
n/a
1965
n/a
1966
n/a
1976
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1977
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1978
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1979
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1980
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1981
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1982
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1983
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1984
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1985
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1986
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1987
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1988
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1989
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1990
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1991
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1992
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1993
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1994
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1995
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1996
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1997
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1998
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1999
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2000
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2001
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2002
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2003
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2004
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2005
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2006
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2007
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2008
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2009
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2010
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2011
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2012
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2013
36.1 C (97.0 F)
2014
36.1 C (97.0 F)
Coldest night (TNn)
The coldest night of the year at Capitan, 1909 to 2014. The record is -30.6 C (-23.1 F) in 1929, marked on the chart; the median year is -18.3 C (-0.9 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Capitan by year
Year
Coldest night (TNn)
1909
n/a
1910
n/a
1911
n/a
1912
n/a
1913
n/a
1914
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1915
n/a
1916
n/a
1917
n/a
1918
n/a
1919
n/a
1920
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1921
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1922
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
1923
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1924
-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
1925
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1926
-5.6 C (21.9 F)
1927
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1928
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1929
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
1930
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1931
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1932
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
1933
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1934
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1935
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1936
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
1937
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1938
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1939
-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
1940
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1941
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1942
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1943
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1945
n/a
1946
n/a
1947
n/a
1948
n/a
1949
n/a
1950
n/a
1951
n/a
1952
n/a
1953
n/a
1954
n/a
1955
n/a
1956
n/a
1957
n/a
1958
n/a
1959
n/a
1960
n/a
1961
n/a
1962
n/a
1963
n/a
1964
n/a
1965
n/a
1966
n/a
1976
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1977
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1978
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1979
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1980
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
1981
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1982
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
1983
-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1984
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1985
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1986
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1987
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1988
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1989
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1990
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1991
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1992
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1993
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1994
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1995
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1996
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1997
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1998
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1999
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
2000
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
2001
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
2002
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
2003
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
2004
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
2005
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
2006
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
2007
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
2008
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2009
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
2010
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
2011
-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
2012
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
2013
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
2014
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
Wettest day (Rx1day)
The wettest day of the year at Capitan, 1909 to 2014. The record is 122.2 mm (4.8 in) in 1941, marked on the chart; the median year is 35.6 mm (1.4 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Capitan by year
Year
Wettest day (Rx1day)
1909
41.4 mm (1.6 in)
1910
26.4 mm (1.0 in)
1911
25.4 mm (1.0 in)
1912
43.7 mm (1.7 in)
1913
35.6 mm (1.4 in)
1914
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1915
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1916
62.2 mm (2.4 in)
1917
51.1 mm (2.0 in)
1918
32.0 mm (1.3 in)
1919
35.6 mm (1.4 in)
1920
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
1921
31.5 mm (1.2 in)
1922
24.9 mm (1.0 in)
1923
27.9 mm (1.1 in)
1924
51.1 mm (2.0 in)
1925
40.9 mm (1.6 in)
1926
43.4 mm (1.7 in)
1927
35.1 mm (1.4 in)
1928
33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1929
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1930
35.8 mm (1.4 in)
1931
42.2 mm (1.7 in)
1932
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
1933
25.7 mm (1.0 in)
1934
21.6 mm (0.9 in)
1935
31.0 mm (1.2 in)
1936
60.2 mm (2.4 in)
1937
54.9 mm (2.2 in)
1938
40.1 mm (1.6 in)
1939
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
1940
32.5 mm (1.3 in)
1941
122.2 mm (4.8 in)
1942
27.2 mm (1.1 in)
1943
n/a
1945
3.3 mm (0.13 in)
1946
16.3 mm (0.6 in)
1947
12.7 mm (0.5 in)
1948
47.5 mm (1.9 in)
1949
34.3 mm (1.4 in)
1950
67.8 mm (2.7 in)
1951
25.9 mm (1.0 in)
1952
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
1953
17.3 mm (0.7 in)
1954
48.5 mm (1.9 in)
1955
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1956
26.4 mm (1.0 in)
1957
55.4 mm (2.2 in)
1958
26.7 mm (1.1 in)
1959
34.5 mm (1.4 in)
1960
26.9 mm (1.1 in)
1961
28.7 mm (1.1 in)
1962
39.6 mm (1.6 in)
1963
14.7 mm (0.6 in)
1964
27.4 mm (1.1 in)
1965
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1966
17.0 mm (0.7 in)
1976
46.7 mm (1.8 in)
1977
30.2 mm (1.2 in)
1978
36.8 mm (1.4 in)
1979
28.4 mm (1.1 in)
1980
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
1981
39.6 mm (1.6 in)
1982
39.9 mm (1.6 in)
1983
27.2 mm (1.1 in)
1984
44.7 mm (1.8 in)
1985
34.5 mm (1.4 in)
1986
33.8 mm (1.3 in)
1987
46.5 mm (1.8 in)
1988
33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1989
41.9 mm (1.6 in)
1990
42.4 mm (1.7 in)
1991
23.1 mm (0.9 in)
1992
31.8 mm (1.3 in)
1993
42.2 mm (1.7 in)
1994
40.1 mm (1.6 in)
1995
26.9 mm (1.1 in)
1996
40.6 mm (1.6 in)
1997
36.8 mm (1.4 in)
1998
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1999
37.1 mm (1.5 in)
2000
42.9 mm (1.7 in)
2001
32.5 mm (1.3 in)
2002
34.0 mm (1.3 in)
2003
25.9 mm (1.0 in)
2004
33.0 mm (1.3 in)
2005
33.0 mm (1.3 in)
2006
35.6 mm (1.4 in)
2007
38.9 mm (1.5 in)
2008
56.6 mm (2.2 in)
2009
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
2010
30.5 mm (1.2 in)
2011
20.1 mm (0.8 in)
2012
33.0 mm (1.3 in)
2013
23.4 mm (0.9 in)
2014
63.5 mm (2.5 in)
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
The wettest five days of the year at Capitan, 1909 to 2014. The record is 130.1 mm (5.1 in) in 1941, marked on the chart; the median year is 58.9 mm (2.3 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Capitan by year
Year
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1909
52.3 mm (2.1 in)
1910
42.9 mm (1.7 in)
1911
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
1912
78.7 mm (3.1 in)
1913
47.5 mm (1.9 in)
1914
55.3 mm (2.2 in)
1915
54.9 mm (2.2 in)
1916
100.3 mm (3.9 in)
1917
73.4 mm (2.9 in)
1918
53.5 mm (2.1 in)
1919
68.9 mm (2.7 in)
1920
80.8 mm (3.2 in)
1921
68.9 mm (2.7 in)
1922
35.3 mm (1.4 in)
1923
51.8 mm (2.0 in)
1924
51.9 mm (2.0 in)
1925
56.7 mm (2.2 in)
1926
73.1 mm (2.9 in)
1927
43.7 mm (1.7 in)
1928
50.5 mm (2.0 in)
1929
73.6 mm (2.9 in)
1930
49.8 mm (2.0 in)
1931
67.3 mm (2.6 in)
1932
77.3 mm (3.0 in)
1933
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
1934
37.1 mm (1.5 in)
1935
59.4 mm (2.3 in)
1936
73.7 mm (2.9 in)
1937
89.8 mm (3.5 in)
1938
117.8 mm (4.6 in)
1939
86.9 mm (3.4 in)
1940
81.2 mm (3.2 in)
1941
130.1 mm (5.1 in)
1942
38.6 mm (1.5 in)
1943
n/a
1945
3.3 mm (0.13 in)
1946
34.3 mm (1.4 in)
1947
37.1 mm (1.5 in)
1948
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1949
59.9 mm (2.4 in)
1950
80.0 mm (3.1 in)
1951
46.5 mm (1.8 in)
1952
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
1953
34.3 mm (1.4 in)
1954
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
1955
87.4 mm (3.4 in)
1956
29.5 mm (1.2 in)
1957
112.0 mm (4.4 in)
1958
53.8 mm (2.1 in)
1959
43.4 mm (1.7 in)
1960
61.7 mm (2.4 in)
1961
60.0 mm (2.4 in)
1962
65.5 mm (2.6 in)
1963
35.5 mm (1.4 in)
1964
56.9 mm (2.2 in)
1965
98.6 mm (3.9 in)
1966
46.2 mm (1.8 in)
1976
70.6 mm (2.8 in)
1977
46.7 mm (1.8 in)
1978
46.3 mm (1.8 in)
1979
52.0 mm (2.0 in)
1980
90.5 mm (3.6 in)
1981
62.2 mm (2.4 in)
1982
60.7 mm (2.4 in)
1983
45.5 mm (1.8 in)
1984
76.5 mm (3.0 in)
1985
65.4 mm (2.6 in)
1986
67.9 mm (2.7 in)
1987
61.4 mm (2.4 in)
1988
60.9 mm (2.4 in)
1989
71.5 mm (2.8 in)
1990
89.7 mm (3.5 in)
1991
64.5 mm (2.5 in)
1992
54.6 mm (2.1 in)
1993
49.0 mm (1.9 in)
1994
50.3 mm (2.0 in)
1995
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
1996
75.4 mm (3.0 in)
1997
49.3 mm (1.9 in)
1998
70.1 mm (2.8 in)
1999
46.6 mm (1.8 in)
2000
70.3 mm (2.8 in)
2001
38.8 mm (1.5 in)
2002
65.5 mm (2.6 in)
2003
45.7 mm (1.8 in)
2004
64.2 mm (2.5 in)
2005
58.1 mm (2.3 in)
2006
64.6 mm (2.5 in)
2007
53.8 mm (2.1 in)
2008
99.8 mm (3.9 in)
2009
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
2010
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
2011
35.0 mm (1.4 in)
2012
41.0 mm (1.6 in)
2013
57.4 mm (2.3 in)
2014
79.0 mm (3.1 in)
Longest dry spell (CDD)
The longest dry spell of the year at Capitan, 1909 to 2014. The record is 114 days in 1918, marked on the chart; the median year is 43 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Capitan by year
Year
Longest dry spell (CDD)
1909
58 days
1910
36 days
1911
32 days
1912
49 days
1913
47 days
1914
32 days
1915
61 days
1916
56 days
1917
106 days
1918
114 days
1919
64 days
1920
35 days
1921
68 days
1922
54 days
1923
36 days
1924
59 days
1925
72 days
1926
40 days
1927
98 days
1928
53 days
1929
44 days
1930
34 days
1931
28 days
1932
49 days
1933
38 days
1934
51 days
1935
43 days
1936
29 days
1937
42 days
1938
42 days
1939
48 days
1940
24 days
1941
25 days
1942
64 days
1943
n/a
1945
42 days
1946
34 days
1947
25 days
1948
25 days
1949
21 days
1950
87 days
1951
59 days
1952
41 days
1953
45 days
1954
48 days
1955
61 days
1956
57 days
1957
41 days
1958
30 days
1959
44 days
1960
94 days
1961
46 days
1962
35 days
1963
48 days
1964
36 days
1965
53 days
1966
46 days
1976
33 days
1977
54 days
1978
55 days
1979
52 days
1980
31 days
1981
39 days
1982
28 days
1983
36 days
1984
33 days
1985
27 days
1986
28 days
1987
36 days
1988
54 days
1989
63 days
1990
30 days
1991
51 days
1992
32 days
1993
25 days
1994
27 days
1995
79 days
1996
65 days
1997
34 days
1998
53 days
1999
38 days
2000
43 days
2001
20 days
2002
39 days
2003
38 days
2004
42 days
2005
43 days
2006
62 days
2007
49 days
2008
69 days
2009
40 days
2010
84 days
2011
77 days
2012
28 days
2013
26 days
2014
28 days
Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.
Frost Dates and Growing Season
39 years with a frost
Across 39 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Capitan falls on 12 May and the median first autumn frost on 7 October, which leaves a median of 147 days between them.
Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by +1.8 days per decade at this station.
Frost dates and growing season at Capitan
Measure
Median, all years
Earliest period
Recent period (1934 to 2011)
Recent against earliest
Fitted trend
Last spring frost
12 May
n/a
11 May
n/a
-0.7 days per decade
First autumn frost
7 October
n/a
8 October
n/a
+1.1 days per decade
Growing days
147 days
n/a
150 days
n/a
+1.8 days per decade
A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.
Rainfall Return Levels
80 years, 1911 to 2011
A day with at least 35.9 mm (1.4 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 81.3 mm (3.2 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.
Rainfall return levels at Capitan: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in
A day with at least
Note
2 years
35.9 mm (1.4 in)
5 years
47.4 mm (1.9 in)
10 years
55.2 mm (2.2 in)
25 years
65.5 mm (2.6 in)
50 years
73.3 mm (2.9 in)
100 years
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
Longer than the 80 years of record
The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 80 years of values from 1911 to 2011.
A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.
The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 122.2 mm (4.8 in) in 1941; 67.8 mm (2.7 in) in 1950; 62.2 mm (2.4 in) in 1916.
Download the Data
Data for Capitan standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for Capitan threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-14 (14 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.