El Paso is heading into a wet and unsettled Tuesday, with cloudy skies, thunderstorms, a high near 80 degrees and a serious risk of flooding. A Flood Watch remains in effect through Wednesday morning, while a Wind Advisory brings the possibility of gusts up to 55 mph later Tuesday.
Early Tuesday, temperatures were in the mid-60s under cloudy skies.
Flooding Risk Builds Through Tuesday Night
The Flood Watch runs through 6 a.m. Wednesday for El Paso and surrounding areas. Forecasters warn that repeated rounds of heavy rain could flood low-lying and poor-drainage areas, creeks, streams and low-water crossings, with rainfall totals ranging from roughly a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch in the El Paso forecast and heavier amounts possible across the broader region.
The forecast risk extends beyond El Paso’s city total: the National Weather Service’s regional outlook calls for 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rain across the area through Tuesday night, with isolated totals of 3 to 4 inches and a moderate flash-flood risk Tuesday. Those higher amounts could fall in repeated rounds, rather than one brief storm, increasing runoff concerns across the Borderland. The El Paso forecast office’s regional rainfall outlook outlines the broader threat.
Tropical moisture tied to the remnants of Polo is expected to fuel the storms. The National Weather Service says already-wet ground could worsen runoff concerns, so residents should avoid flooded roads and never attempt to cross water-covered low-water crossings.
The moisture feeding the storms is unusually abundant. The National Weather Service’s Tuesday morning discussion put precipitable water near 1.5 inches—about 250% of normal and above the daily record—and identified the period through late Tuesday afternoon as the likely window for the highest moisture and heaviest rain. The El Paso office’s discussion also warns that heavy rain could intensify again Tuesday morning and continue into the evening.
Strong Winds Arrive Tuesday Afternoon
The Wind Advisory begins at 3 p.m. Tuesday and continues through midnight. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph are expected in parts of the region, with gusts reaching 55 mph; outdoor objects should be secured, and high-profile vehicles may face difficult driving conditions.
Storms and showers were part of Tuesday's unsettled forecast.
Flood Watch Lasts Into Wednesday
The Flood Watch remains in effect through 6 a.m. Wednesday.
