El Paso on track for one of its warmest Decembers since 1981

El Paso may be heading toward one of its warmest Decembers in decades, after several days of record or near-record heat, according to preliminary data from the National Weather Service El Paso

Residents across the city are noticing the difference — especially those spending more time outdoors than they typically would this late in the year.

At Mission Hills Park, one father says the warmth feels unusual compared to winters he remembers growing up in El Paso.

“It just has not cooled down since… it’s been continuously hot,” he said. “I remember we would have snow by now.”

Meteorologists say a strong upper-level high-pressure system has been sitting over the region, trapping warmer air and keeping temperatures above average for this time of year.

“Upper-level high pressure is responsible for a lot of the near-record and record warmth we’ve been seeing,” a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said.

While colder days are still possible before winter ends, forecasters say final December rankings won’t be determined until the month is over.