Several highways are closed around nothern Arizona. A DPS officer instructs a motorist to turn around. (Photo: Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

WEDNESDAY, 10:30 AM:   I-40 reopened this morning, along with SR 260 and SR 87 between Winslow and Payson, and Heber and Payson. Snow and ice are still on these roadways, so ADOT advises that motorists drive with caution.

UPDATE (9 PM)– I-40 remains closed this evening between Ash Fork and Flagstaff (mileposts 146-196).  I-17 Northbound is open at milepost 299 to Flagstaff.  I-40 East at milepost 72 in western Arizona is closed now due to weather.

FLAGSTAFF (NAZ Today)– (6:00 PM)– Heavy snowfall and wind have caused ADOT and the Arizona Department of Public Safety to close several highways around the northern part of the state this evening.

Interstate 40 is closed between Butler Avenue in Flagstaff and Ash Fork due to several accidents, according to DPS Spokesman Howard Sanders, including a multi-vehicle pileup near Williams and a collision between two semi trucks near Bellemont.  In total, Sanders says that DPS has responded to over 20 collisions and nearly 50 slid-offs on Interstates 40 and 17.  “DPS is requesting the motoring public to drastically slow down their travel speeds to prevent loss of vehicle control, collisions and slide-offs,” said Sanders.

ADOT is reporting that 1-17 has become nearly impassable from State Route 179 north to Munds Park, resulting in its closure.  The road is closed fro SR 179 to I40 in Flagstaff. Just before the closure, DPS Spokesman Sanders says that stretch of road was becoming too dangerous for travel.  “The snowfall, slippery roadway conditions and continuous collisions and slide-offs may result on the closure of Interstate 17,” says Sanders.

A Gila County Sheriff's deputy turns motorists around in Star Valley. SR 260 is closed this evening. (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

Elsewhere, snowfall began around 4 pm at the lower elevations on the front of the Mogollon Rim.  Payson saw between 1-2 inches between 4:00 and 4:30 pm, with heavier snow falling along and on top of the Mogollon Rim, prompting officials to close State Routes 87 and 260.  SR 260 eastbound is closed to through traffic on the east end of Star Valley, with a hard closure at Little Green Valley, nine miles east of Payson.  Westbound, SR 260 is closed at Heber/Overgaard.

State Route 87 North is closed to all traffic (hard closure) at the northern Payson city limits (Home Depot roundabout), according to a Payson Police Department spokesperson.  Southbound, SR 87 is closed at the Winslow city limits.

State Route 87 is closed between Payson and Winslow due to snow and poor visibility. (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)

Public safety officials from around northern Arizona are urging people to stay off the road and avoid travel if possible.

For the latest road conditions and updates, visit the ADOT Traffic Conditions website, www.az511.com or dial 5-1-1 on your mobile phone.

An ADOT snowplow clears part of State Route 87 in Payson. Plows will be working through the night across northern Arizona to clear and reopen state and US highways, along with Interstates 17 and 40. (Patrick Walker/NAZ Today)