TEXAS · EL PASO
El Paso wind loads where the desert wind sweeps the Franklin Mountains
Far-west Texas sits in the high Chihuahuan Desert, so El Paso pairs some of the state's lowest basic wind speeds with sharp mountain speed-up effects under ASCE 7-22.
ASCE 7-22 · DESERT WIND & TERRAIN
What shapes wind loads in the Chihuahuan Desert basin
Lower basic speeds, but wide-open desert exposure and the Franklin Mountains create site-specific spikes.
Lower basic wind speed
Far-west Texas escapes Gulf hurricanes and Tornado Alley, so Risk Category II maps fall near 90–105 mph — among the lowest in the state.
90–105 MPHOpen desert exposure
Sparse, low scrub across the Chihuahuan Desert leaves little surface roughness, placing most El Paso sites in Exposure Category C.
EXPOSURE CFranklin Mountains speed-up
Ridges, slopes and wind gaps through the Franklins drive topographic factor K
Spring dust storms & haboobs
El Paso's windy season peaks in spring, when strong frontal winds and thunderstorm outflow raise haboobs — high desert dust walls. ASCE 7-22 design speeds already envelope these straight-line gusts, but envelopes and cladding still need dust-tight detailing.
PERMIT-READY · EL PASO COUNTY
What you need to comply in El Paso
Four inputs define an El Paso Development Services wind submittal under Texas TDLR and ASCE 7-22.
Design wind speed
90–105 mph 3-second gust for Risk Category II; higher categories read a longer-return-period map.
90–105 MPHExposure category
Exposure C governs most desert and suburban sites; the dense urban core may qualify for B. Confirm per ASCE 7 §26.7.
EXPOSURE B / CRisk category
Classify per ASCE 7-22 Table 1.5-1; higher categories select a longer-return-period speed map.
TABLE 1.5-1PE-sealed calcs
Commercial and engineered structures need MWFRS and C&C pressures sealed by a Texas-licensed PE.
TEXAS PEDATA · MAPS & STATEWIDE
Texas wind resources & El Paso authorities
Statewide context and the authorities having jurisdiction across El Paso County.
Texas wind requirements
Statewide ASCE 7-22 wind speeds, exposure and code adoption.
STATEWIDEAll state requirements
Browse wind load rules and adopted ASCE editions by state.
50 STATESWind speed by location
Look up the design wind speed for any U.S. address or zip.
LOOKUPOfficial El Paso & Texas authorities
EMERALD · GET COMPLIANT
Run El Paso wind loads in minutes
Enter any El Paso address to apply the 90–105 mph range, Exposure C and ASCE 7-22 automatically, with PE-ready output for El Paso Development Services.