El Paso is starting Tuesday calm and clear, with El Paso International Airport clocking in around 59°F early this morning. That quiet stretch will not last. A run of warm, dry and increasingly windy afternoons is on deck starting Wednesday. Today will stay mostly sunny with a high near 86°F, and daytime highs hang in the mid‑80s through the week as southwest and west winds ramp up. By the weekend, expect enough gusts to rattle patio furniture and test your tent stakes.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Winds stay light this morning before turning up each afternoon. Tuesday is the mellow one, with highs near 86°F and south winds around 3 to 7 mph. By Wednesday, those winds shift to the west‑southwest and west, increasing to about 6 to 16 mph with gusts in the 25 to 30 mph range.
Thursday looks a bit gustier, with west winds near 7 to 22 mph and gusts topping out around 30 to 31 mph. Sunday is shaping up as the rowdiest day, with some spots possibly seeing gusts in the 30 to 40 mph range. Forecasters at the National Weather Service El Paso say those afternoon gusts will be the main concern, especially for high‑profile vehicles and anything light enough to blow across the yard.
Fire Danger Ramps Up
Along with the wind comes very dry air, which will push relative humidity down into the teens and, in some lowland areas, into the single digits. That kind of dryness helps any spark turn into a fast‑moving fire.
El Paso County already has a ban on outdoor burning in unincorporated areas under an order adopted February 2, and it stays in effect through May 1. Violations are a Class C misdemeanor that can carry fines, according to El Paso County. Residents are urged to skip open burns, make sure grills are stable, secure loose items on patios and keep a water source close by while the wind and dry air stick around.
What To Expect
For the rest of the week, plan on gusty afternoons, especially if you are setting up outdoor events or driving RVs, box trucks or other high‑profile vehicles. Tie down lightweight furniture, think twice about debris burning, and keep an eye on local forecasts and advisories. Check the National Weather Service and county pages for updates if winds increase or fire‑weather products are issued.
