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Coachella Valley winds close roads and cause inconveniences for residents

Winds over the weekend hit peaks above 70 mph for areas like Whitewater. Gusts for areas in Desert Hot Springs reached above 60 mph winds. The valley floor was also included, Palm Springs Airport hit a peak gust of 45 mph.

Over the weekend, Palm Springs Police Department tweeted that N Indian Canyon Between Tramview and Palm Springs Station Rd closed due to low visibility from blowing sand and dust. Monday morning, that road was opened. Monday morning, N. Gene Autry between E. Via Escuela and Salvia Rd. remained closed. Palm Springs Police said they will evaluate conditions early Tuesday morning for a possible reopening. In the meantime, when N. Gene Autry is closed, you can use E. Vista Chino as an alternate route.

Coachella Valley residents are used to the wind but are ready to be done with the inconveniences it causes. “I picked yesterday to BBQ outside because the temperature was down and low and behold it was windy. It kept blowing the flame out so I finally had to come in the house,” said Joan, a Palm Desert resident. These gusty winds come from strong a strong onshore flow. This flow filters in cooler air to the region but also brings the gusty winds. “Every time I get the pool cleaned, the wind comes and I get up in the morning to swim and it’s all full of dirt so I have to wait until it’s cleaned again to swim,” said Diane Kline, a Palm Desert resident.

“In the front yard, the wind swirls and all the trash and all the leaves come right in my front door,” said Kline. Residents of the Coachella Valley said they are typically used to the winds this time of year. "I think the main thing is is just all the sand that comes in and it creates some allergies and we have to get out and sweep all the sand and pick up all the debris,” said Palm Desert resident, Jane Wright.

News Channel 3's Taban Sharifi will have more details on the winds live tonight at 5 and 6 p.m. on KESQ.

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Taban Sharifi

Taban Sharifi is a Meteorologist and Reporter with KESQ News Channel 3, The Desert’s News & Weather Leader. Learn more about Taban here.

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