El Paso Faces Frequent Drought and Intense Summer Heat

El Paso County has experienced drought conditions in about 70 percent of weeks since 2000, according to drought.gov data. Extreme or exceptional drought has covered the area in about 12 percent of those weeks. Drought affects water costs, fire risk, landscaping, and agriculture.

Summer heat is intense. Temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The desert location also means low humidity, which makes heat harder to sense but no less dangerous. Cooling costs are a significant household expense. If you are moving here, plan for high electric bills in summer and budget for water-efficient landscaping.