El Paso woke to mostly cloudy skies and temperatures around 75 degrees Thursday morning, but the clouds will not keep the heat away for long. The afternoon forecast calls for mostly sunny skies and a high near 94 degrees. Strong west-southwest winds are also making an early appearance, setting up a breezy start before calmer afternoon conditions.
Winds near El Paso International Airport were running around 29 mph early Thursday, with gusts potentially reaching about 35 mph before 10 a.m. The rest of the afternoon should settle into west-southwest winds near 9 mph, with almost no chance of rain in the city. According to the National Weather Service, isolated storms will be more likely over western New Mexico than in the El Paso lowlands today.
Friday Stays Hot As Weekend Storm Chances Rise
Friday looks mostly sunny with a high near 96 degrees and a low around 75. Saturday will be hotter, reaching about 98 degrees, with a slight chance of showers after noon and a 20% chance of rain overall. Storm chances increase Saturday night, when a few thunderstorms could bring brief heavy rain, sudden outflow winds, and localized flash flooding.
Most of the weekend storm activity is expected to favor the mountains and higher terrain, but moisture will be increasing across the region. Sunday should turn sunny again with a high near 97 degrees, although a slight overnight storm chance remains. Anyone heading toward mountain roads or low-lying areas should be ready for quick changes in visibility and road conditions.
Triple-Digit Heat Returns Next Week
The heat ramps up again Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs near 98, 99 and 101 degrees, respectively. Overnight lows will stay in the mid to upper 70s, offering limited relief after sunset. Water, shade and earlier timing will be the smart play for outdoor work, especially as temperatures approach triple digits.
No watches or warnings are in effect for the El Paso forecast area in the latest update. Even so, the combination of rising heat and weekend storm potential means outdoor plans may need a little flexibility, particularly from Saturday afternoon through Saturday night.
