Clear skies and a light west-northwest breeze are kicking off Tuesday in El Paso, with temperatures near 70°F and a quick warmup on the way. Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 87°F this afternoon, Tuesday, March 31, and west-northwest winds around 6–12 mph with gusts near 20 mph. Tuesday night stays on the mild side, with temperatures only dropping to around 65°F under mostly cloudy skies.
Afternoon Heat And Dry Air
The afternoon heat will be dry, so those upper-80s will come with low humidity instead of sticky, muggy air. If you are planning outdoor chores, workouts, or errands, morning and evening will feel more comfortable. Keep water handy if you are outside during the hotter afternoon hours.
Winds This Week And Dust Risk
Midweek is when the wind really starts to matter. Wednesday, April 1, is expected to turn breezy to windy, with gusts that could reach about 30–40 mph in more exposed spots. That is enough to kick up patchy blowing dust and knock down visibility at times. According to the National Weather Service El Paso, this midweek system will push a front through late in the week that should trim temperatures heading into the weekend. Drivers on rural stretches of I-10 should be prepared for sudden gusts and pockets of dust ahead of the front.
Late-Month Context
This late-month warm spell continues a pattern that first showed up earlier in March. For background on how we got here, see our March 3 coverage of near-record heat and dusty winds, as per Hoodline. The new twist this time is the stronger midweek wind surge, which boosts the risk of blowing dust along exposed desert and valley routes.
Plan Ahead
If you have outdoor plans on Wednesday or Thursday, secure loose outdoor furniture, decorations, or trash bins before the gusts arrive. Try to avoid exposed desert roads during the windiest periods. Drivers should slow down if dust cuts visibility, and anyone with respiratory issues may want to limit outdoor exertion and keep medications close at hand during peak gusts. There are no watches or warnings in effect for El Paso right now, but conditions can change quickly, so check the latest forecast before heading out.
