LAS VEGAS >> The National Weather Service is warning of wind gusts of up to 70 miles per hour in southern Nevada with blowing dust that’s affecting visibility on the roads.

Officials upgraded its alert to a wind warning for the area around Mercury near Nye County, which is seeing gusts as strong as 60 to 70 miles per hour.

The rest of the Las Vegas valley is under a wind advisory through 11 p.m. Friday, with winds at Red Rock Canyon recorded at 52 miles per hour and 37 miles per hour at McCarran International Airport.

Blowing dust has also been reported on Highway 95 between northwest Las Vegas and Beatty.

Meteorologist Nathan Foster said the winds are caused by a strong, low-pressure system coming from the Pacific Northwest.