textproduct: El Paso

KEY MESSAGES

Updated at 334 PM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

- Windy conditions again today, with a risk of blowing dust across southern New Mexico and far west Texas. This may cause impactful travel conditions by reducing visibility on area roadways.

- Lighter winds with seasonal temperatures for the weekend, followed by a warm-up next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1000 AM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

UL low is sweeping east just north of the Four Corners today, which will bring us more wind and dust to the Borderland. Lee trough is being undercut by high pressure across the Plains, but GFS still shows a surface low forming toward the OK Panhandle. This will pack the isobars while flow increases throughout the column. Wind impacts look to be short of what occurred Tuesday and Wednesday, so only wind advisories were needed for our New Mexico mountains and east slope areas. The system swings through on the early side, so winds will fall off pretty quickly after dark.

Light winds, clear skies, and dry air will set the stage for a chilly morning tomorrow, and Saturday will be our coolest day of the period. A long wave ridge will begin to build across the Western CONUS throughout the weekend. It will become quasi- permanent, remaining in place through the remainder of the forecast period. Temperatures will warm well above normal with El Paso's first 80 degree day on the horizon by Wednesday. A few passing s/w troughs will round the top of the ridge, which will give us some afternoon breeziness. The most notable being on Wednesday though, at this time, still well below any advisory thresholds.

AVIATION

(00Z TAFS) Issued at 430 PM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

VFR conditions through the period, with mainly SKC-SCT250. SCT- BKN080 over the Gila/Black Range until 03Z. Surface winds west 18-23G35 knots becoming northwest 12-17G25 knots after 02Z, and then diminishing to northwest 7-10 knots by 06Z.

FIRE WEATHER

Issued at 1000 AM MST Fri Feb 20 2026

Elevated to near critical fire conditions are expected today with portions of Hudspeth County reaching critical. Winds will increase this afternoon with top 20-foot speeds between 25 and 30 MPH, along with gusts to near 50 MPH. Min RH values though will stay well above 20% for most locations with only parts of Hudspeth County dipping into the teens. With the stronger winds, venting will be excellent for nearly all locations.

After today, we start a drying and warming trend. Highs will climb well above normal by the middle of next week with afternoon min RH values well into the teens. Winds will be light though, mitigating any fire weather concerns. Venting this weekend will range poor to good, improving for next week.

PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS

El Paso 37 62 37 65 / 0 0 0 0 Sierra Blanca 34 61 32 61 / 0 0 0 0 Las Cruces 30 58 31 62 / 0 0 0 0 Alamogordo 29 59 29 62 / 0 0 0 0 Cloudcroft 19 40 21 45 / 0 0 0 0 Truth or Consequences 29 56 31 62 / 0 0 0 0 Silver City 24 53 32 57 / 0 0 0 0 Deming 29 61 33 64 / 0 0 0 0 Lordsburg 26 59 37 62 / 0 0 0 0 West El Paso Metro 37 61 39 65 / 0 0 0 0 Dell City 30 62 27 62 / 0 0 0 0 Fort Hancock 36 67 36 68 / 0 0 0 0 Loma Linda 33 56 34 58 / 0 0 0 0 Fabens 35 65 37 67 / 0 0 0 0 Santa Teresa 31 59 34 64 / 0 0 0 0 White Sands HQ 34 59 35 63 / 0 0 0 0 Jornada Range 26 58 27 62 / 0 0 0 0 Hatch 26 61 28 65 / 0 0 0 0 Columbus 33 61 36 65 / 0 0 0 0 Orogrande 30 58 31 62 / 0 0 0 0 Mayhill 23 52 22 56 / 0 0 0 0 Mescalero 20 51 23 56 / 0 0 0 0 Timberon 26 48 27 51 / 0 0 0 0 Winston 17 50 22 55 / 0 0 0 0 Hillsboro 26 55 31 60 / 0 0 0 0 Spaceport 24 57 26 62 / 0 0 0 0 Lake Roberts 19 55 26 59 / 0 0 0 0 Hurley 24 55 29 58 / 0 0 0 0 Cliff 21 61 28 65 / 0 0 0 0 Mule Creek 21 57 28 63 / 0 0 0 0 Faywood 27 54 33 58 / 0 0 0 0 Animas 29 61 34 64 / 0 0 0 0 Hachita 28 59 33 63 / 0 0 0 0 Antelope Wells 29 61 32 65 / 0 0 0 0 Cloverdale 31 58 37 61 / 0 0 0 0

EPZ WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

TX...None. NM...Wind Advisory until 6 PM MST this evening for East Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet-Eastern Black Range Foothills-Otero Mesa-Sacramento Mountains Above 7500 Feet- Southern Gila Region Highlands/Black Range-West Central Tularosa Basin/White Sands-West Slopes Sacramento Mountains Below 7500 Feet.