El Paso woke up to clear skies and temps in the low 40s on Wednesday, but the calm start will not last long. Through the day, conditions turn warmer and a lot windier, with highs near 70 and strengthening west-southwest winds expected to kick up patchy blowing dust across the borderland.
Afternoon Gusts Take Over
Winds will ramp up from late morning and peak during the early afternoon, with sustained speeds commonly in the 20 to 30 mph range and gusts up to 45 mph expected by this afternoon. A Wind Advisory is in effect for parts of El Paso County from about 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, so drivers in high-profile vehicles are urged to use extra caution and residents should secure loose outdoor items, according to the National Weather Service.
Blowing Dust And Fire Risk
Very dry air combined with those gusty winds will bump up the risk of blowing dust and critical fire weather in some areas. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, since any new fire could spread quickly. Local forecasts and reporting have highlighted Red Flag and Fire Weather Watch statements for the region, and officials warn that dust can aggravate asthma and other respiratory issues. For more details on potential health and travel problems, see ABC-7/KVIA.
What To Expect This Week
Temperatures stay above seasonal averages, with today's high near 70, followed by mid-60s on Thursday and another warm day sliding in by Friday. Winds look to ease heading into the weekend. Forecasts call for lighter breezes and drier, sunnier conditions Saturday and Sunday, which should make the latter weekend outdoor plans a lot more appealing, according to the National Weather Service.
Safety Tips
Bring pets and weak-sided outdoor furniture indoors before the strongest winds arrive, skip any open burning, and consider delaying travel during the noon to 6 p.m. window when gusts peak. If you hit a sudden burst of dust while driving, slow down, pull off the road if visibility drops, and keep your headlights off until conditions improve.
This story will be updated if alerts change, so check local forecasts and official accounts before heading out this afternoon. If conditions deteriorate, look for more detailed advisories from local emergency management and the National Weather Service.
