Clear skies greeted El Paso early Wednesday, March 11, with temperatures hovering around 54°F at El Paso International Airport. Observations there showed light winds, so the morning commute looked to be mostly dry, bright, and pretty easygoing across the city.
Afternoon Winds Start Flexing
The sunshine is not going anywhere, and highs are expected to climb into the mid 70s, topping out near 77°F on Wednesday afternoon. North winds will crank up to about 7–17 mph with gusts near 25–30 mph late in the day, which will leave exposed roadways and hilltop neighborhoods noticeably breezier than the calm morning. If you are heading out on the freeway or crossing bridges this afternoon, be ready for cross‑winds and ease off the gas a bit.
Tuesday’s Showers Move On
A band of showers and a few isolated storms rolled through on Tuesday, soaking parts of the city and leaving wet streets for the morning rush, but causing little lasting damage. That system has now pushed east, opening the door to a drier pattern that should hold into the weekend; see our earlier stormy commute coverage for a breakdown of Tuesday’s timing and impacts, as per Hoodline. Roadways are largely dry at this point, and there have been no significant flooding reports posted.
Weekend Warm-Up And Fire Risk
Temperatures will turn notably warmer by the end of the week, with highs near 85°F on Friday and into the upper 80s on Saturday, while Sunday should still land in the mid 80s. Lower humidity, in the single digits to low teens in parts of the lowlands, combined with a Saturday uptick in breezy west winds, could produce near‑critical fire weather conditions for some zones; there are currently no watches or warnings in effect. According to the National Weather Service, residents should plan for dry, warm afternoons and gusty periods on Saturday.
How To Prepare
Secure lightweight patio furniture, umbrellas, and shade covers before the gusty afternoons arrive, and avoid open burning while humidity is low. Bring plenty of water if you are working or playing outside, and keep an eye on any local park or fire authority restrictions if you are planning to grill or camp this weekend.
