WIND STORM: Latest road closure information

North Indian Canyon Drive has reopened in both directions afterbeing closed since Sunday because of blowing sand.

Gene Autry Trail, closed Sunday for the same reason, will likely stayclosed through Wednesday. Motorists are asked to use Date Palm Drive, Ramon andTipton roads, North Indian Canyon and Highway 111 as alternate routes.

Here are the latest road conditions as of Wednesday morning:

NORTH INDIAN CANYON – OPEN in both directions.

GENE AUTRY TRAIL – CLOSED due to sand drifts and low visibility just south of the I-10 freeway to Via Escuela.

VISTA CHINO DRIVE – OPEN between Cathedral City and Palm Springs through the White Water Wash.

DATE PALM DRIVE – OPEN north and south of Interstate 10.

RAMON DRIVE – OPEN between Cathedral City and Palm Springs.

ALTERNATE ROUTES

Drivers are advised to seek alternate routes.

HIGHWAY 111 in and out of Palm Springs both west and east of the city. Tipton Road provides access from Highway 111 to I-10 in each direction west of Palm Springs.

BOB HOPE DRIVE to Ramon into Palm Springs.

MONTEREY AVENUE to Dinah Shore.

Once again, high winds will sweep the Coachella Valley and the mountains of Riverside County. A wind advisory will be in effect in both areas until 8 tonight. Isolated gusts as strong as 45 miles per hour are possible.

So once again, National Weather Service forecasters are warning motorists to beware of reduced visibility resulting from blowing dust and sand, and to watch out for broken tree limbs and downed power lines. And if you’re in a high-profile vehicle, brace for strong crosswinds.

“The blowing sand and dust limits visibility (and) is posing a hazard to all drivers, not just those driving high-profile, lightweight vehicles,” according to California Highway Patrol Officer Joe Zagorski.

“Drivers should turn on their headlights,” Zagorski said “slow down to avoid debris and drive in right lanes. Those driving at low speeds should turn on their hazard lights.”