El Paso woke up cool and clear on Thursday, March 12, but the warm-up was fast and fierce across the Borderland. The El Paso airport (KELP) started the morning near 48°F under clear skies, with afternoon highs headed for the mid-70s.
Quick Warm-Up This Week
That mild afternoon is just the warm-up act. Temperatures climb quickly through the weekend, with highs near 74°F today, about 84°F on Friday, and into the mid-80s Saturday and Sunday, followed by a possible push into the 90s by the middle of next week. No measurable rain is expected during this stretch, so most outdoor plans should stay dry. According to the National Weather Service El Paso, those numbers put the lowlands within striking distance of record levels for this time of year.
Weekend Wind And Fire Concerns
Winds stay generally light today and Friday, then turn westerly and breezy Saturday with gusts into the mid 20s, becoming gustier Sunday ahead of a late week cold front. Humidity is expected to drop into the single digits to teens over the weekend, roughly 5-15 percent, which means a small spark could spread quickly through dry grasses and brush. Forecasters say fire weather could reach near critical levels in the driest areas, especially in nearby southwestern New Mexico.
Legal Implications…