Indian Canyon closed - with strong gusts expected across the valley

Indian Canyon Drive again is closed today, with winds up to 60 mph expected across the entire valley. The morning paper reports:"A stretch of Indian Canyon Drive will stay closed for the weekend as high winds and cool temperatures sweep in for the holiday. Palm Springs police closed the road at the Whitewater Wash late Friday and planned to keep it closed through Tuesday because of high winds and blowing sand. The primary alternative routes, Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino, remained open. Plan to hold on to your umbrellas during the picnics this holiday weekend, too: Wind gusts of up to 60 mph could blow through the Coachella Valley. A cool front will also sweep in, sending temperatures plummeting nearly 20 degrees below normal.'We're going to have a pretty strong storm that's going to come down California, and behind that front is a surge of chilly air,” AccuWeather.com meteorologist Brian Edwards said." Miss Penny Lane says: She likes the windy days in the valley because she can sit outside after washing her hair and the wind naturally dries it, rather than using a hair dryer.

SUNDAY UPDATE: Portions of Gene Autry Trail and Vista Chino are now closed as well. Winds of 43 mph were clocked at the airport.