El Paso is waking up to a clear, bone-dry Thursday on March 26, with airport readings near 61°F and an afternoon set to feel a whole lot more like midsummer than early spring. Forecasters expect temperatures to climb into the mid 90s by late day, putting many lowland neighborhoods close to 95°F, or about 20 to 25 degrees above normal for late March. That kind of surge could challenge daily March records. Add in gusty west winds and single-digit relative humidity, and the air will feel hotter while fire danger jumps across the Borderland.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Through the day, winds will swing around to the west and ramp up to roughly 5 to 16 mph, with gusts that could hit around 24 mph during the hottest part of the afternoon. At the same time, humidity will tumble into the single digits in many spots. The combo of heat, wind, and very dry air creates elevated to near-critical fire weather, especially over dry, exposed neighborhoods and mesa edges. For the full forecast, along with the latest watches and discussion, check the National Weather Service El Paso.
Friday Front And Blowing Dust
A backdoor cold front will slide south early Friday, flipping winds around from the east and knocking daytime highs back into the mid to upper 70s. East and northeast winds on Friday are expected to strengthen, with sustained speeds in the teens and gusts reaching into the 30s on ridges and west-facing slopes. That setup can kick up patchy blowing dust and cut visibility in spots during the afternoon. Plan on a cooler but noticeably windier Friday compared with today’s record-challenging warmth.
How To Prepare
Drink plenty of water, steer clear of strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the afternoon, and tie down or move patio furniture and other loose items before the breeze gets going. If you need an air-conditioned place to cool off, the City of El Paso operates cooling centers and keeps public libraries open during heat events. Call 2-1-1 or visit the city’s information page at the City of El Paso for locations and hours.
Local Context
We flagged gusty, dusty conditions earlier this month, and today’s update zeroes in on the renewed burst of March warmth and extremely dry air that has fire officials on alert. For background on the earlier wind episodes, see our report on the gusty, dusty start to March, as per Hoodline.
