Posted Tuesday, December 6, 2011 --- 6:45 a.m.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) -- A severe winter blast has struck most of New Mexico, closing hundreds of schools and shutting down major highways across the state.

Motorists sought emergency shelter overnight as state officials closed both directions of Interstate 40 from Albuquerque to Gallup -- part of the historic Route 66 -- after blowing snow caused near-zero visibility.

Authorities also shut down the state's entire length of Interstate 10, from the Texas line to the Arizona border, because of heavy snow and icy road conditions.

Kerry Jones, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said aside from the heavy snowfall, New Mexico residents should expect "bitter cold" weather with temperatures 15 below zero in some parts.

Severe weather even brought snow to southern New Mexico -- a region usually spared the worst of winter blasts.

Copyright 2011. The Associated Press.