Blowing sand again closes Indian Canyon Drive through wash in Palm Springs

Another week, another closure of North Indian Canyon Drive.

That was the unsurprising news Palm Springs commuters woke up to Monday as the city announced another closure of the road through the Whitewater Wash at around 6 a.m. because of blowing sand.

The closure came after a windy night that saw gusts hit 51 mph in North Palm Springs, 53 mph in Desert Hot Springs and 66 mph in Whitewater. At Palm Springs International Airport, a gust of 36 mph was also recorded overnight.

The winds are expected to continue on and off in North Palm Springs Thursday, with speeds of 30 to 35 mph and gusts of 45 mph forecasted by the National Weather Service. Gusts of as high as 65 mph are expected for between 3 p.m. and Tuesday morning. The winds are forecast to continue into Wednesday, before tailing off later in the day. The forecast for the rest of the week calls for calmer conditions.

A high wind warning has been issued by the weather service for the Coachella Valley, San Gorgonio Pass and several nearby areas and will remain in effect until 11 p.m. Tuesday.

North Gene Autry Trail was also briefly closed through the wash because of blowing dust Monday but has since reopened. Vista Chino is also open through the wash.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Blowing sand again closes Indian Canyon through wash in Palm Springs