El Paso and surrounding regions are bracing for a wave of disruptive weather conditions as the National Weather Service (NWS) in El Paso has issued a series of advisories warning of strong winds, blowing dust, and critical fire weather. According to the National Weather Service , visibility is expected to drop to between one quarter mile and one mile in blowing dust with winds reaching 25 to 35 mph and gusting up to 50 mph.

The advisories, which are effective from 11 AM to 9 PM MDT, span portions of south central and southwest New Mexico and southwest Texas. The wind advisory is an extension of previous notices, suggesting a persistent and robust weather pattern. Residents are advised to secure outdoor objects and exercise extreme caution when driving, with high-profile vehicles facing increased risk of instability. Motorists should not drive into an area of blowing dust. Remember, Pull Aside Stay Alive, warns the advisory.

In addition to the blowing dust, the area is under a critical fire weather alert dubbed the "Red Flag Warning". The warning states that conditions are ripe for wildfires with low relative humidity values of 8 to 12 percent in the lowlands and strong winds that can escalate fire behavior rapidly. The NWS cautions that any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is not recommended.

Gusty conditions are also expected to challenge the integrity of tree limbs and could lead to power disruptions. The strongest wind gusts, some potentially reaching 60 mph, are forecasted to occur over the higher terrain and some downslope areas, especially in the Tularosa Basin. With the region's susceptibility to extreme weather phenomena, the overlapping impact of both a blowing dust advisory and a fire weather warning underscores the gravity of the situation facing these communities.