May 2015 Story: Is El Paso tornado-proof?

Strong, violent tornadoes are no stranger to the plains and panhandle.

Although, we see an occasional funnel cloud here, many wonder if El Paso is immune to that weather phenomenon. 2011 was a record breaking-breaking year for tornadoes in Texas.

Meteorologist John Fausett with the National Weather Service says the recent tornadoes are the result of El Nino. Wind sheer, and moisture are among the ingredients to provide rotation and thunderstorms, which can be concentrated into the tornadic scale.

There’s a misconception in the Borderland that we can’t get tornadoes because of the mountains. Fausett said in October 2006 there was a tornado southwest of Deming.

“This was a classic wedge tornado that was southwest of Deming out in the desert. If it can happen there it can happen in El Paso county or city,”. Fausett said.

Mountains don’t prevent tornadoes — they make it a little more difficult for them to form,. On May 2, 2007 there was a tornado at White Sands Missile Range headquarters.