Storms dump heavy rain, snow on parts of West

PHOENIX — Western states battled nasty winter weather that shut down major roads in Arizona and California, blasted Nevada with frigid winds and left an area of western Washington in a whiteout.

The storm systems across parts of the West dumped heavy snows in some mountainous regions Wednesday and soaking rains in lower elevations, cutting power to thousands and causing numerous traffic tie-ups and accidents.

The storms even intruded on the normally pleasant winter weather in the Phoenix desert area, delivering an hours-long chilly rain and leaving residents bracing for a rare below-freezing dip in temperatures Friday.

Snow and ice forced the closure of parts of Interstates 17 and 40, the two major thoroughfares in northern Arizona, stranding motorists south of Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon.

"As far as I can see, it's tail lights," said Abel Gurrola, who was headed north on I-17 with his wife and three sons before the highway reopened Thursday morning.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety said it received more than 100 calls reporting slide-offs in a three-hour period, including semi trucks.

Snow also forced California transportation officials to close Interstate 15 between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, where winds were gusting to more than 40 mph. The freeway was shut down from Halloran Springs to the Nevada state line but reopened early Thursday with highway patrol officers escorting motorists.

Visibility was down to a half-mile around the Grand Canyon and a quarter-mile in Flagstaff, National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Breckenridge said.

A blizzard warning was issued in parts of eastern and southeastern Arizona, and forecasters warned the system would likely move into neighboring New Mexico on Thursday.

The latest round of rain to hit waterlogged California moved east, leaving powerful winds in its wake.

Gusts of more than 50 mph hit parts of northern Los Angeles County late Wednesday, with colder air and potentially damaging winds expected overnight.

The California Highway Patrol reported downed trees and tumbleweeds on various Los Angeles-area freeways and streets, making it treacherous for motorists.

One person was killed by a falling tree and a snowboarder was missing. The U.S. Coast Guard searched in strong winds and high seas for a 20-foot pleasure boat reported to be in distress with four people aboard.

Winds were even stronger further east.