Windy weather and below average temperatures Friday

A pacific storm system and associated cold front approached the Borderland Thursday morning. The storm is expected to push over the region and bring high wind gusts by Thursday afternoon.

Winds are forecast to move in from the west over El Paso, and hit 20 to 30 miles per hour. Peak gusts are forecast up to 45 mph from now until 7 p.m.

Wind gusts will continue in the 35 mph range through through the evening in El Paso.

As for temperatures, the afternoon high will only reach the mid 70s Thursday in El Paso. Temperatures in Southern New Mexico will drop below normal Friday morning. In Las Cruces, the low is forecast at 39 degrees. The low is expected to drop to 46 in El Paso.

Because temperatures will be below average today, and only in the 70s, blowing dust is not as likely as last week.

Winds will stick around Friday and Saturday, but only gust 35 down to 30 miles per hour.

Expect temperatures to remain lower than average Friday, but rise over the weekend to nearly 80 degrees.