El Paso gets one more sunny, warm afternoon Thursday before the weather takes a hard turn: a High Wind Warning begins Thursday evening, with gusts forecast up to 47 mph in the city Thursday night and up to 65 mph on mountain ridges and west-facing slopes. The front will also send temperatures tumbling, turning Friday into a blustery day with a high near 60.
Sunny Thursday, Then The Winds Arrive
Thursday should top out near 80 degrees under clear skies, with northeast winds strengthening later Thursday. The stronger shift is expected after 6 p.m., when northeast winds increase sharply behind a backdoor cold front.
The National Weather Service says sustained winds could reach 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 65 mph especially on mountain ridges and west-facing slopes, through Friday morning and midday. The warning covers El Paso County and nearby portions of Hudspeth County, where officials caution that damaging winds could knock down tree limbs and power lines and make travel difficult for high-profile vehicles.
Blowing Dust And A Much Colder Friday
According to the National Weather Service, patchy blowing dust is expected to develop Thursday night and may linger into Friday morning, especially around El Paso and Hudspeth counties. Residents should secure loose outdoor items before sunset and use extra caution on exposed roads, bridges and mountain routes.
Friday will be mostly sunny after the early dust, with winds gusting to 45 mph and a high near 60. Friday night will have a low around 48, before Saturday brings another cool, mostly sunny day near 63.
Warmer Weather Returns Next Week
The weekend gradually settles down, with Sunday expected to reach about 71 degrees and Monday warming back near 77. Friday has a 0% chance of precipitation, with a chance of showers Saturday. A chance of showers is forecast from Monday afternoon into next Thursday.
The latest warning is a substantive change from Hoodline's Wednesday forecast, which described the incoming system as a High Wind Watch. The National Weather Service's updated outlook now calls for warning-level winds, with the strongest gusts expected Thursday night into Friday morning.
