Tucumcari sits on the high plains at 1,250 m and has a markedly continental climate. Summers are very hot — daytime highs over 35°C are common in July — and winters can be cold and snowy, with January lows often below freezing.
The best months are April–May and September–October, when daytime temperatures are pleasant and the desert sky is clear. The annual Rockabilly on the Route festival in May draws Route 66 enthusiasts from across the country and is the most lively time in town.