El Paso could be facing a very serious weather threat early next week. According to the National Hurricane Center, the remnant core of Hurricane Polo will pass directly over the Borderland late Monday through early Wednesday. (Up to 6 inches of rain in an absolute worst-case scenario.)
Hurricane Polo is the second-most intense hurricane on record in the Eastern Pacific, trailing only Hurricane Patricia from 2015. The maximum sustained winds are 180 mph with gusts of 220 mph. This could lead to significant flooding for the Borderland unless the path of the storm changes dramatically.
TONIGHT: KTSM is extending the Weather Authority Alert through midnight tonight due to potential for very strong (even severe) t-storms. The atmosphere is unusually unstable. That does not guarantee storms, but what it does mean is that any area t-showers could easily grow in strength to produce heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds. After midnight, skies will clear, and the low will drop to 64.
Here’s your exclusive 9-Hour Forecast for a beautiful Saturday:
FORECAST: Saturday will be partly cloudy and 90 with a drier feel. The winds shift SW at 5-15 mph as relative humidity drops. Sunday will be partly cloudy and 91 with a slight chance of isolated late day t-storms. Weather Authority Alert: We shall face the threat of heavy rainfall starting late Monday. If the trajectory of Hurricane Polo holds together, the remnant core of moisture will pass directly over the Borderland, causing possible flooding through early Wednesday morning. Monday will bring cloudy skies with a wave of t-showers and the threat of heavy rain, especially Monday night. Monday’s high: 84. Tuesday will continue threat of heavy rain and possible flooding as the core of the storm passes right over the Borderland. Rain totals could be high. Tuesday’s high will be only 74 due to heavy cloud cover and rain. (NOTE: This data is subject to change based on the trajectory of the storm. This is the worst-case scenario.) Wednesday will be partly cloudy in the morning and sunny in the afternoon. Wednesday’s high: 79. Expect gusty winds that will dry the Borderland out. Thursday will be sunny and 85…