FIRST ALERT: Major changes in the forecast as system drops into region

ABC-7 StormTRACK meteorologists issued a first alert Friday in preparation for the changes moving into the Borderland Sunday.

Sunday afternoon winds will pick up to 25 mph, with gusts rising to 35 mph. Due to the dry conditions, expect blowing dust Sunday afternoon.

The windy conditions will continue ahead of the Pacific storm system dropping into the region.

The high temperatures for today will only be slightly cooler than yesterday. El Paso has a forecast high of 65 and Las Cruces a high of 64 degrees.

The storm system consists of a deep trough and an associated cold front. The system will bring the coolest air of the season to the area.

The front will quickly drop southeast into Southern New Mexico and West Texas Sunday night.

As it moves past, a slight and weak chance of spotty rain will move into the El Paso and Las Cruces area.

The rain chances will dwindle quickly for much of the region, but chances for snow will persist overnight over the Sacramento Mountains. The chance sits at 20 to 30 percent in both Ruidoso and Cloudcroft, where temperatures will drop into the teens early Monday morning.

The forecast low in El Paso is 34 degrees, and 31 in Las Cruces.

The cold air will settle over the Borderland Monday, keeping high temperatures below average. The forecast high Monday is 50 degrees in El Paso.

Monday night the cool air will sit in place, allowing for temperatures to plummet to the upper 20s.

The first alert remains in effect through Monday.