Snow has arrived in El Paso; get forecast, tips to prepare for winter storms

Snow dusted parts of the Borderland on Friday morning, with accumulations along Trans Mountain Road.

Temperatures Friday morning were in the 30s, according to the National Weather Service El Paso.

The high Friday was forecast for 44, with scattered showers throughout the day, remaining through the night, which was expected to see a low of 33.

Temperatures were forecast to rebound Saturday, with a sunny day and a high of 60, falling to 39 at night, with a mostly clear sky.

Sunday was expected to be sunny, with a high of 62 and a low of 38 during a mostly clear night.

A high of 66 was forecast for Monday, with a sunny sky, falling to 47 at night.

The National Weather Service issued a winter warning through midnight Friday for portions of eastern Otero County, including the Sacramento Mountains, with 8 to 12 inches of snow, with higher areas getting more than 15 inches. Wind gusts up to 50 mph could increase traffic problems by blowing the snow.

A winter weather advisory was issued through midnight Friday for Hudspeth County and eastern El Paso County in West Texas, with 1 to 3 inches of snow expected. The NWS warns that roads will become slick and icy overnight.

Texas Department of Transportation traffic cameras Friday morning showed wet roads across El Paso, with snow blanketing the landscape along Trans Mountain Road near Tom Mays Park.

The Texas Department of Transportation El Paso Office tweeted a warning about conditions heading east along Interstate 10, showing accumulations of snow.

Lower than normal temperatures

Lower than normal temperatures should be expected in late November, the National Weather Service warns.

A winter storm will move east on Friday, bringing snow showers to portions of Otero and Hudspeth counties, and a wintry mix is likely for El Paso and neighboring communities, according to the NWS.

Ice and snow can make driving hazardous, especially over mountain highways. The NWS urges caution when driving in snowy areas.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management tweeted tips for safer driving.

Prepare home for winter

When it comes to learning how to prepare for winter, know that your house is your number one protection against the cold weather. You’ve got to make sure that it’s sealed up tight. There are a few steps you should take every year before winter comes.

First, make sure that your heating system is up and running. Run your furnace early in the fall for a few hours, and, if needed, have it tuned up, its filters changed, and its chimneys cleaned. If you use oil heat, make sure your tank is filled.

Go around your house and make sure all of your insulation is intact, particularly around windows and doors.

Also, check your water lines. Make sure that they are all insulated properly, and that you shut off the water leading to your hose and drain those pipes. If you have a sprinkler or irrigation system, drain the lines and shut that water off as well. A burst pipe is a terrible thing any time of year but can be particularly damaging if it freezes.

Bring in your outdoor furniture. Most of it isn’t going to be designed to stand up to the rigors of winter. The weight of the snow can make the fabric and springs sag, and the cold can be damaging as well.

Lastly, prune away any dead branches and have dead trees removed from your property. The weight of the ice and snow, accompanied by the wind from winter storms, can rip down even healthy limbs and trees. By clearing out the dead ones, you’re reducing the chances of them falling on power lines, your house, or even worse, a person.

Prep your car for winter roads

While snow and cars can increase the dangers of driving, some basic preparations in advance can keep you safe, even when you have to be on the roads.

It’s a good idea to take care of any lingering maintenance issues before winter starts. Get your fluids changed if needed, swap out your windshield washer fluid for one that de-ices, and make sure that your wipers are in good shape. Double check that your heater works, and that your battery holds a charge.

Make sure your tires are up to snuff. Just because they passed inspection doesn’t mean they’re great for the winter. If you use snow tires, change them over before the first snowfall.

If you don’t own snow tires, check the tire treads on your regular wheels. If they’re balding or wearing unevenly, it may be time to get new ones. Any tire can slip on snow or ice, but tires with enough tread will slip less and regain traction faster.

Also, make sure to check your tires’ air pressure—improperly inflated tires are more likely to slip as well.

Transfer your snow-removal equipment into the car before it snows. You don’t want to come out of a store or work and discover that you don’t have your snow brush in the car when there’s already 6 inches of snow on your windshield.

An important and easy task is to fill your gas tank before every storm. You don’t want to run out of gas in the middle of a blizzard.

Lastly, keep an emergency kit in your car. This should include everything you’d need if you got stranded and had to stay in your car for hours. This kit should include:

• Blankets

• Flashlight and batteries

• Cellphone chargers

• Food and water

• Maps and a compass

• Sand or kitty litter for traction

• A first-aid kit

• Jumper cables and tire-changing equipment

USA Today contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Snow arrives in El Paso; get forecast, tips for winter storms