Gene Autry, North Indian Canyon Drive closed through the wash as strong winds hit Palm Springs

Staff reports
·1 min read
Signs blocked Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs in 2019 as sand was blown across the road, reducing visibility.
Signs blocked Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs in 2019 as sand was blown across the road, reducing visibility.

North Gene Autry Trail in Palm Springs was closed between Salvia Road and East Via Escuela on Saturday afternoon due to blowing sand. A wind advisory remained in effect for portions of the Coachella Valley and other areas.

North Indian Canyon Drive was also closed between Sunrise Parkway and Garnet Avenue on Sunday morning due to sand buildup and poor visibility, according to the Palm Springs Police Department.

The cities of Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Coachella, Indio, Banning, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Wrightwood, Julian, Victorville, Hesperia, Apple Valley and Borrego Springs all fell under the advisory, which lasts from Saturday afternoon until 6 p.m. Monday.

Winds of 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are expected, according to the National Weather Service. In "wind-prone" locations, local gusts could approach 70 mph. The strongest winds are expected Sunday afternoon and evening.

Portions of Gene Autry often close during high winds in Palm Springs as blowing sand builds up on the road and reduces visibility for drivers. Earlier this week, the Palm Springs City Council started considering which projects to fund in the next fiscal year, including a wind wall on the wind-strewn wash section of the road, a project that had a proposed price tag of $2.02 million.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Palm Springs Gene Autry closed as strong winds blow sand