El Paso woke up to clear skies and about 70°F at El Paso International Airport on Wednesday morning, May 13, but the cool start will not last long. Today is set to be the hottest of the week, with highs near 97°F and a few lowland spots flirting with 100°F by mid‑afternoon. An Air Quality Alert and Ozone Action Day are in effect for the El Paso area, and people with breathing or heart conditions are being urged to dial back heavy outdoor activity from late morning through the afternoon.
Afternoon Heat And Air Quality
The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 97°F, with southeast winds of 2 to 9 mph and almost no rain in sight, putting the bullseye for peak heat squarely on mid‑afternoon, according to NWS El Paso. Forecasters say some lowland neighborhoods could briefly tip into triple digits, while a small chance exists for dry lightning over the Gila Wilderness this afternoon. The same forecast flags very dry air and highlights the Air Quality Alert, which is tied to enhanced ozone formation under bright, cloud‑free skies.
Ozone Action Day And Safety Tips
The Ozone Action Day stretches from late morning into the evening hours today, and officials are nudging residents to leave the car parked when possible, delay strenuous outdoor workouts, and combine errands to cut back on emissions. If you or someone at home has asthma, COPD, or heart disease, it is a good day to plan outdoor time for the cooler morning or later evening and to keep rescue medications close. Small steps like carpooling, hopping on a bike for short trips, and skipping drive‑thru idling can help keep afternoon ozone spikes in check.
Wind And Fire Weather Outlook
Winds will turn westerly and pick up later this week, with west winds of 5 to 16 mph and gusts into the low 20s expected on Thursday and Friday, while humidity drops into the single digits by the weekend. That mix of gusty wind and very dry air brings elevated fire‑weather concerns, with conditions possibly approaching critical by Sunday if gusts increase. For background on the warm, windy pattern setting up, see our May 8 Hoodline update on how El Paso is set to sizzle as dry winds bear down.
