El Paso is starting Wednesday clear and comfortable by desert standards, but the heat will ramp up fast. High temperatures are expected to reach near 100 degrees, setting the tone for a long stretch of triple-digit afternoons across the lowlands.
The National Weather Service expects sunny skies, light south winds, and essentially no rain in the city Wednesday. Tonight will turn partly cloudy, with temperatures dipping only to around 76 degrees.
Triple-Digit Heat Sticks Around
Thursday is forecast to be even hotter, with a high near 102 degrees and heat index values approaching 98. Friday through Sunday should stay near 101 degrees, followed by highs around 102 on Monday and Tuesday.
Overnight relief will be limited, with lows generally in the mid-to-upper 70s. The extended run of heat is expected to keep temperatures roughly 8 to 10 degrees above normal for late August across southern New Mexico and far West Texas.
Storms Stay Mostly In The Mountains
Isolated showers and thunderstorms remain possible Wednesday through Friday, but the best odds are in the Sacramento Mountains, Black Range and other high terrain areas west and north of El Paso. The city and nearby lowlands are expected to remain mostly dry, though storms in the mountains could produce sudden outflow winds and blowing dust.
By the weekend, the remaining storm chances are expected to fade area-wide. That means mostly sunny skies, dry conditions, and more of the same furnace-like temperatures for outdoor plans.
Plan Around The Afternoon Heat
Outdoor exercise, yard work and errands will be safest during the cooler morning and evening hours. Drink water regularly, take breaks in shade or air conditioning, check on older adults and other heat-sensitive neighbors, and never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
No watches, warnings, or advisories were listed for El Paso County in the latest forecast. Still, with several days near or above 100 degrees, the afternoon heat deserves a serious game plan.
