I-40 closed from Santa Rosa to Amarillo

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It may officially be spring, but it certainly didn't feel like it in many parts of the state Friday as another round of wintry weather pummeled many regions, bringing snow and chilly temperatures.

State police on Friday afternoon closed Interstate 40 between Santa Rosa and Amarillo, Texas.

It was the latest in a string of weather-related closures. Early Friday morning, state police had closed eastbound I-40 from Tramway to Santa Rosa while crews worked to clear the roads of snow, ice and slush.

"It's icy, really icy," said Lori Bellante. "I was all over the road. I live in the town of Edgewood so coming from my house, it was really, really slick and icy. People are going maybe 15 miles an hour to here."

State police reported more than 40 cars that slid off the road and a half dozen car accidents on eastbound I-40.

Police had to direct drivers off the interstate throughout the morning, and many drivers were stuck waiting it out the road closures.

"I'd like to get home," said Layton Davis, a truck driver. "I was hoping to get home this evening, I don't think that'll happen."

Several drivers Friday took the weather in stride.

"I don't have four wheel drive in this truck anymore, so it would be nice," said Effee Connor, who was driving to Oklahoma. "But I'm not worried about it. We're just taking it slow, we're in no rush."

State police are still discouraging people from driving unless it's necessary.

While many schools around New Mexico are on spring break, several districts called a snow day. A full list is available on KRQE.com's School and Community Closures page.