El Paso woke up Thursday, June 18, to mostly clear skies, about 77°F at El Paso International Airport, and a west-northwest breeze already starting to flex. The high is expected to climb to around 100°F, and by late afternoon, those winds could be strong enough to kick up dust in low-lying spots after about 5 p.m. If you are driving on exposed roads or near playas, you may want to pad your evening travel time in case visibility drops in a hurry.
Evening Storms And Blowing Dust
Patchy blowing dust becomes more likely late this afternoon, setting the stage for a round of showers and thunderstorms between roughly 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. Outflow winds from those storms can fire up suddenly, slap the evening commute with very strong gusts, and briefly knock down visibility. According to the National Weather Service, tonight’s chance of thunderstorms sits at about 50%, and some of those storms could push strong outflow winds near El Paso International.
Afternoon Winds And Weekend Outlook
Outside of any storms, west-northwest winds are expected to run about 14 to 22 mph this afternoon, with gusts reaching into the low 30s. That will be enough to stir up dust over dry terrain such as playas and exposed lots. Drier air slips in for the weekend, bringing mostly sunny skies while afternoon highs hold near 100 to 101°F, before a hotter stretch looks likely to build early next week.
Heat Safety And City Services
With even hotter conditions possible early next week, including local highs near 103°F, expect limited cooling at night and try to schedule strenuous outdoor work for the morning hours. The City of El Paso is operating cooling centers and advises residents to call 2-1-1 for locations and hours. Before you lock in travel or outdoor plans, check the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
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