ABC-7 First Alert Continues: Some storms with gusty winds early tonight; temps stay well above average.

Moisture will be increasing this afternoon and evening across the Borderland as southeasterly flow around the ridge pushes additional moisture into the Borderland.

The mountains will have the best chance for scattered thunderstorms, with coverage around 40% to 60%. Storm activity will be more isolated in the lowlands, but there is still a 10% to 30% chance of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening.

Even storms that form well away from El Paso could have an impact on the lowlands. Storm-generated outflow gusts of up to 50 mph will be possible this evening and into the overnight hours.

More moisture Friday

Thunderstorm chances will continue into Friday, although activity is expected to remain concentrated primarily across the mountains.

The Weather Prediction Center has placed the region under a marginal Excessive Rainfall Outlook for today and Friday, meaning some storms could produce locally heavy rainfall.

Temperatures ease this weekend

As the upper-level ridge begins shifting east, temperatures will gradually cool this weekend.

Highs are expected to fall to near 100 degrees for Saturday and Sunday, although temperatures will still remain 3 to 7 degrees above average.

Despite the slight cooldown, the ridge will remain strong enough to keep most of the lowlands dry through the weekend.

Watching the pattern into next week

As August comes to an end and September begins, the active tropical Pacific will play an important role in determining where the ridge sets up and how much moisture reaches the Borderland.

Both the GFS and ECMWF models currently show a plume of moisture developing near the Arizona-New Mexico border Monday, which could eventually increase rain chances.