Zero visibility and strong winds closed Valley roads

Strong winds and low visibility closed roads and caused accidents early Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol and Palm Springs Police.

Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino were both reopened at 8:15 a.m. but Indian Canyon Drive remains closed, according to Palm Springs police.

Drivers were advised to use Date Palm, Highway 111, Dinah Shore, and Ramon Road as alternate routes.

In Thermal, CHP says high wind and brown-out conditions caused a single-vehicle accident on Harrison and 62nd Street.

Harrison from 62nd Street to 66th Street has zero visibility, and police are warning cars to slow down in that area. There is a field Echols Road, which was recently tilled, causing brown-out conditions.

Meteorologists report wind gusts topping 80 miles per hour in Sky Valley. Gusts reached 30 – 40 miles per hour in other parts of the western Coachella Valley.

Passing a barricade is illegal, and could result in serious injury. CHP wants to remind drivers to be safe and obey traffic signs.

There’s no estimate when the roads will reopen.

For further information you can call the Palm Springs Police Department at (760) 327-1441.

You can also visit Nixle for updates on road conditions.

We will update you as well.