Storm snarls traffic, closes schools in N.M.

The Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE — A winter storm moving through New Mexico gave many students a get-out-of-school free pass, but created extra work for road crews and police as wet snow caused intermittent highway closures and dozens of crashes on slick and icy roads.

Interstate 40 was closed east of Albuquerque at midday Wednesday to give state police and sheriff’s deputies time to clear several accidents caused by the storm that dumped snow from Silver City to Santa Fe.

Transportation Department crews were out plowing, salting and sanding, and highway officials urged motorists to be cautious and slow down.

The National Weather Service said the storm was moving north and east across New Mexico and into the higher elevations of the southern mountains through Thursday morning.