Does it snow in El Paso? The answer is YES, it does snow in El Paso but not on a regular basis.
El Paso city is located in the extreme western Texas, U.S.
It is located on the Rio Grande, which is connected to Juárez, Mexico, just south of the New Mexico border.
It is the largest of the border towns between the United States and Mexico, located at the foot of the Franklin Mountains (at an elevation of 3,762 feet (1,147 meters) below a small pass where the Rio Grande emerges from the barren southernmost spurs of the Rocky Mountains.
The city is distinguished for its Spanish language and culture.
Although its old adobe houses are obviously Mexican, El Paso appears to be a modern American metropolis.
It serves as the economic and financial hub for a vast trading territory dominated by livestock ranching, irrigated cotton growing, and mineral production.
With a population of around 700,000 people, it is Texas’ sixth-largest city. So, does El Paso get snow?
In this article, I will answer in detail the question “does it snow in El Paso?”
Let’s get started.
As previously stated, the answer is YES but not on a regular basis.
El Paso has a desert climate because it is located in the Chihuahuan desert.
During the winter, temperatures in El Paso range from 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius) to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).
El Paso experiences snow on some occasions, and in a good year, the city can get up to 7 inches (177.8 millimeters) of snow.
Overview of the Climate of El Paso
Having answered the question “does it snow in El Paso?” Let’s look at the climate of this city and how it contributes to the occurrence of snow.
Summers in El Paso are hot, winters are short and frigid, and the weather is dry and largely clear all year.
Throughout the year, the temperature normally ranges from 34°F to 97°F, with temperatures rarely falling below 24°F or rising above 104°F.
From mid-May to September, the hot season lasts 3.8 months, with an average daily high temperature of more than 89°F.
June is the hottest month in El Paso, with highs of 96°F and lows of 70°F.
The chilly season lasts nearly three months, from the end of November to the middle of February, with an average daily maximum temperature of less than 66°F.
El Paso’s coldest month is December, with lows of 35°F and highs of 59°F.
When Does it Snow in El Paso?
Snow falls during the winter season, which lasts from late November until February.
El Paso receives up to 1.1 inches (28 millimeters) of snow every year.
Here is a month-by-month analysis of El Paso’s snowy period.
November
In El Paso, November marks the beginning of winter.
Lows are 46.8 degrees Fahrenheit (8.2 degrees Celsius) and highs are 64 degrees Fahrenheit (17.8 degrees Celsius).
El Paso will get snow for the first time this month.
It snows for 0.2 days, with an amount of up to 0.16 inches (4 millimeters).
December
In December, temperatures range from 39.6 degrees Fahrenheit (4.2 degrees Celsius) to 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit (12.5 degrees Celsius).
This month records the highest snowfall in El Paso, with 0.9 days of snowfall and accumulations of up to 0.55 inches (14 millimeters).
January
In January, temperatures fall further, with lows of 37.6 degrees Fahrenheit (3.1 degrees Celsius) and highs of 54.9 degrees Fahrenheit (12.7 degrees Celsius).
In January, the region receives 0.3 days of snow, with accumulations of up to 0.04 inches (1 millimeter).
February
Temperatures in El Paso are rising as winter comes to an end. The area’s temperatures vary between 41.9 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 degrees Celsius) to 61.2 degrees Fahrenheit (16.2 degrees Celsius).
Snow is experienced for 0.5 days and accumulates up to 0.35 inches (9 millimeters).
Has El Paso Ever Experienced a Blizzard?
The answer is YES. El Paso has experienced extreme snowy conditions in the past with the most extreme being experienced in December 1987 when the city experienced 25.9 inches of snow.
This heavy snowfall led to disruption of services like the closure of the El Paso International Airport.
There were also numerous car accidents and minor injuries reported throughout the area.
The sudden snowstorm disrupted nearly everyone’s plans for the day, including El Paso Electric Co.’s intentions to light its customary Christmas star on the side of South Franklin Peak.
Skiing in El Paso
Unfortunately, there are no ski resorts or winter sports activities in El Paso. Snow is insufficient for the establishment of ski resorts.
Other interesting winter sports activities in El Paso include skating at the Franklin Mountains Skatepark and learning about the lush cultural history of the Chihuahuan desert at the Centennial Museum.
You can also choose to explore the best state parks for camping in Texas.
Final Thoughts on the Question: “Does it Snow in El Paso?”
Does El Paso get snow? As we have learnt, it indeed does snow in El Paso, Texas.
Despite its unique location and climate, the city does experience snow during the winter months.
So, if you’re planning to visit during the holiday season and you’re wondering whether you’ll experience the white spectacle, then worry not.
Snow in El Paso Texas
Frequently Asked Questions
El Paso’s winters are normally warm and dry, with just a few cold periods and snowfalls. During the winter, temperatures in El Paso range from 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 degrees Celsius) to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). El Paso gets snow on occasion, and in a good year, the city can get up to 7 inches (177.8 millimeters) of snow. The months of December and January are often the coldest, with temperatures occasionally falling below freezing.
NO, tornadoes are not very common in El Paso, Texas. Although the city is located in Tornado Alley, which is a region in the central United States that is prone to tornadoes, El Paso is located on the western edge of this region where tornadoes are less common. This makes the tornado index in El Paso significantly lower than the average of both Texas and the entire country. In fact, the whole county has only had eight tornadoes since 1950, with the most recent tracing all the way back to 1992.
January is the coldest month in El Paso with an average temperature of 32.9°F. During this month, the temperature can drop down to as low as 30°F (-1°C).
Amarillo is without a doubt Texas’ coldest city. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -12 in 1986.
El Paso, located in the far western corner of Texas, typically experiences mild to warm temperatures in October. The average high in El Paso in October is around 78°F (26°C), while the average low is around 52°F (11°C). However, temperatures can vary depending on the day, and sometimes El Paso experiences heat waves which can push temperatures into the high 80s or low 90s.
