UPDATED: Sand Closures to Last Through At Least Tuesday Morning

Update 8:30 p.m. Monday: Palm Springs police say that the roads in that city will remain closed overnight "...due to large amounts of sand covering the roadway and low visibility."

Both North Indian Canyon Drive in the wash area and Gene Autry Trail have been closed since Sunday.

"Both roads will remain closed overnight due to the ongoing wind conditions," PSPD's Sgt. Mike Kovaleff said.  "PSPD requests that all drivers avoid the areas of the closed roadways and obey the road closure signs."

Kovaleff suggested motorists should plan to take Date Palm Drive, Ramon Road, and SR 111 as alternate routes.  He also said that Tipton Road provides access from SR 111 to I-10 in each direction. 

Original story as follows:

Valley drivers planning to get on the I-10 Monday morning are being advised to plan to take alternate routes, especially if they usually take Date Palm Drive.

"Due to the high winds, Gene Autry [Trail] and N. Indian Canyon Drive are both closed," CHP Officer Joe Zagorski said Monday morning.  " As a result, the off ramps at Date Palm Drive are backing up severely."

Zagorski said drivers should seek alternate routes, like Highway 111.

Other detours the spokesman suggested were Bob Hope Drive and Monterey Avenue to enter and exit Interstate 10.

What's more, Zagorski warned that blowing sand was causing issues on the interstate throughout the Valley, and says all drivers should turn on their headlights.

"Drivers at very low speeds are also advised to activate their vehicle’s flashing hazard lights to increase their vehicle’s visibility to approaching vehicles," he said.

An influx of drivers headed onto the Interstate at Jefferson was also causing delays on the east end of the Valley, as camping attendees filed out of the Empire Polo grounds.

"Due to extremely heavy traffic, motorists planning on traveling westbound on I-10 will experience heavy traffic and delays as a result of vehicles leaving the Coachella Valley," Zagorski said.