Blowing sand and near-zero visibility forced Palm Springs police to shut down a stretch of North Indian Canyon Drive early Saturday, as strong desert winds swept across the Coachella Valley.
North Indian Canyon Drive is closed between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue until further notice, according to the Palm Springs Police Department, which cited hazardous driving conditions caused by gusty winds and drifting sand.
The closure affects a major north-south corridor that is frequently used as a key connector to and from Palm Springs, particularly for drivers traveling toward Desert Hot Springs and Interstate 10.
The road closure comes as the National Weather Service issued a wind advisory for much of inland Southern California, including the San Gorgonio Pass near Banning and surrounding desert and mountain areas.
Forecasters warned of sustained west winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 65 mph, and isolated gusts as high as 70 mph in wind-prone areas such as the pass.
The advisory is expected to remain in effect from Saturday afternoon through 11 p.m. Sunday.
Why dust storms are dangerous
In desert communities like Palm Springs, high winds can rapidly create dangerous travel conditions by kicking up sand and dust that reduces visibility to near zero in seconds — particularly along open corridors like Indian Canyon Drive.
The same winds can:
Indian Canyon Drive is one of several valley roadways known to flood or become impassable during extreme weather, though in this case, the hazard is airborne sand rather than water.
What drivers should do
Officials urge residents and travelers to:
Motorists, especially those in trucks, vans, and SUVs, should be prepared for sudden crosswinds, particularly near the San Gorgonio Pass.
What’s next
There is no immediate estimate for when Indian Canyon Drive will reopen. The closure will likely remain in place until winds subside and visibility improves.
Conditions are expected to remain gusty through Sunday night, meaning additional closures or travel disruptions are possible across the Coachella Valley.
City News Service contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Blowing sand shuts down Indian Canyon Drive as winds hit valley
Reporting by James Ward, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
