El Paso woke up to clear skies and dry air on Saturday, May 16, with El Paso International Airport checking in near 75°F this morning. The rest of the day will turn hot, with a high near 92°F on tap and breezy west-southwest winds gusting through the afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Sunday, May 17, as forecasters warn that conditions could turn critical if stronger gusts line up with very low humidity.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
Winds are expected to ramp up each afternoon, with sustained speeds generally in the teens and gusts in the 20 to 30 mph range from Saturday into Monday. Forecasters say the strongest period looks to be Sunday, when exposed areas could see much higher gusts. That pulse of southwest flow will raise the odds of patchy blowing dust along area highways and make high-profile vehicles tougher to handle. Drivers should plan for sudden gusts on I-10 and other open stretches during the late-day and evening commute.
Heat And Dry Air
Relative humidity will plunge into the single digits to low teens across many lowland neighborhoods, and overnight recovery will be weak, only rebounding into the mid 20s to mid 30s. That keeps grasses and brush very dry. High temperatures will settle in the low 90s, with overnight lows holding near the mid 60s. According to the National Weather Service, ERC values are approaching the 90th percentile, and the combination of gusty winds and parched fuels could push fire conditions to critical levels Sunday and Monday.
What To Expect And How To Prepare
Officials are urging residents to hold off on any open burning, tie down or move inside loose patio furniture and trash bins, and shift strenuous outdoor work to the cooler morning or evening hours. Brief pockets of blowing dust could cut visibility, so factor the gusty crosswinds into your travel plans. For more background on how this pattern is shaping up, check out the wind-whipped weekend outlook, as per Hoodline.
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