El Paso woke up on the chilly side on Wednesday, February 4, with temperatures near 42°F early this morning at El Paso International Airport. A dry back-door front is sliding through and switching winds to the east-northeast across the Borderland. Skies stay mostly sunny today with a high near 61°F this afternoon, but the breeze will turn noticeably gusty across the metro and on west-facing slopes, so expect some windy stretches on the commute.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
East-northeast winds around 9 to 20 mph with gusts as high as 28 mph are expected this afternoon, with localized stronger gusts near 35 mph in the Lordsburg playa areas and higher terrain. According to the National Weather Service, the frontal passage is dry, so impacts should stay limited mainly to gusty conditions and patchy blowing dust along Interstate 10. Drivers of high-profile vehicles should take extra care, and anyone with lightweight outdoor items may want to tie things down before the afternoon gusts kick up.
Weekend Warm-Up and Rain Chances
Temperatures trend warmer late in the week, with highs near 69°F on Friday, February 6, and around 71°F on Saturday, February 7, as southwest flow returns. Forecasters are keeping a low-end chance for lowland rain and high-elevation snow in the picture from Sunday into Monday (February 8–9), though timing and coverage remain uncertain. It is worth checking updated forecasts before locking in outdoor plans for late Sunday or early Monday.
Commute, Dust and What to Expect
Patches of blowing dust are possible where gusts are strongest, especially near the usual playa areas around Lordsburg, and that could reduce visibility at times on I-10. There are no watches or warnings in effect for the El Paso forecast area this morning, but conditions can change quickly if gusts intensify. If you have early evening travel or outdoor plans, plan for sporadic gusty bursts and allow a little extra time on the roads.
Where This Fits
This updates our earlier coverage; see our Feb. 1 story on the build-up earlier in the week, as per Hoodline. We will post any changes if watches or advisories are issued.
