Morning starts cool in the 50s across the El Paso area under clear skies, but the warmup is coming in fast. Highs are on track to hit near 85°F on Saturday, March 14, with west winds picking up this afternoon. Those winds will drag dew points and humidity down into the low teens, turning the Borderland very dry and prompting fire weather headlines for parts of the region.
Afternoon Winds and Fire Risk
By this afternoon, expect west winds to crank up with sustained breezes around 5 to 17 mph and gusts into the mid 20s. Saturday night stays on the breezy side, and Sunday looks even windier, with gusts that could top 30 mph. The combo of warm temperatures, very low humidity, and gusty winds has triggered Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across parts of southern New Mexico and far West Texas, according to the National Weather Service El Paso.
Timing and What To Expect
Winds ramp up by late Saturday morning and hang around into Sunday. Forecast lows Saturday night are in the upper 50s, with Sunday highs in the low 80s ahead of a late Sunday night cold front. That front will swing winds around to the east and knock temperatures into the 40s for Sunday night and Monday. The cool down will be brief, though, with a rapid warm-up expected next week. Count on especially gusty, sustained winds Sunday afternoon across exposed areas and along the eastern slopes of the Sacramento Mountains.
Local Impacts And Safety Tips
While fire weather headlines are in effect, skip outdoor burning and hold off on yard work that might throw sparks. If you see smoke, report it to local authorities right away. Secure loose outdoor items, and use extra caution if you are driving high-profile vehicles, since gusts can make towing and light trailers unstable. Check with event organizers and local parks before heading out for outdoor plans, and keep an eye out for updates if conditions change.
For background on this warm, windy spell, see our earlier coverage on how desert winds whip up dust and delays, as per Hoodline. We will update this post if any watches or warnings change over the weekend.
