By 5:25 a.m. MDT on Wednesday, March 25, El Paso was already off to a warm start, sitting at about 59°F under clear skies at El Paso International Airport. Forecasters expect a hot afternoon, with highs near 95°F both Wednesday and Thursday. That puts daytime temperatures roughly 20–25°F above normal for late March and raises the odds of breaking daily records for both days.
Local Context
This early-season warm spell has been brewing for a while. We first flagged the pattern in early March when the Borderland began to torch March norms, as per Hoodline. The same stubborn upper-level ridge is still parked overhead, keeping conditions dry and humidity very low through midweek.
What the National Weather Service Says
According to the National Weather Service El Paso, highs are expected to climb to about 95°F on Wednesday, March 25, and again on Thursday, March 26. Those readings are roughly 20–25°F above what El Paso typically sees this time of year and could be warm enough to break the daily records for both dates. In other words, this is not your standard late March afternoon.
Heat Safety And Cooling Centers
With temperatures running that hot, basic heat safety applies even in spring. Bring water, keep pets indoors or in the shade, and shift strenuous outdoor work to the cooler morning or evening hours. The City of El Paso Office of Emergency Management maintains a list of cooling centers and advises residents to call 2-1-1 or visit its website for locations and assistance.
Thursday Fire Weather And Friday Cool-Down
The National Weather Service El Paso also points to Thursday, March 26, as the period of greatest concern. Very dry fuels combined with west winds of 15–20 mph and gusts near 30 mph will push fire-weather indices toward near-critical levels. After that, a strong surface high will send a backdoor cold front sliding south early Friday, March 27, bringing east winds of 15–25 mph with gusts up to 35–45 mph along terrain features, along with a 10–20°F drop in lowland highs. Brief blowing dust and sudden visibility reductions are possible as the winds kick up.
Looking Ahead
Looking past the late-week cooldown, weekend guidance shows only a slight chance of showers from late Sunday into Monday. Early April is expected to bring back a more typical, windier spring pattern. If you have outdoor plans, aim for mornings and evenings to dodge the worst of the heat, and make sure to secure loose patio furniture before Friday’s gustier setup arrives.
