by the Associated Press and KFDI News:

UPDATE:  Interstate 70 has reopened for westbound traffic at Hays, and the highway is now open for travel in northwest Kansas.

———————————————————————

Blizzard conditions and accidents forced the closure of a portion of Interstate 70 in western Kansas early Wednesday.  The westbound lanes of the highway were closed between Hays and WaKeeney, and both lanes were closed between WaKeeney and Oakley.

I-70 was also closed in Colorado between Denver and Limon.

Blizzard warnings have been issued across part of northwest Kansas, closing schools and making travel dangerous.

The National Weather Service said snow and wind gusts as high as 55 mph will create whiteout conditions Thursday. Drivers are urged to stay home and bring a winter survival kit with them if they must travel.

The Kansas Department of Transportation says many roads are partially or completely snow covered. A tractor-trailer crash temporarily closed part of Interstate 70 Wednesday in western Kansas, and a Colorado stretch remains closed.

Among the districts calling off classes was Colby Public Schools. The districts said in a tweet announcing the closure, “Yes, it is morning and you could tell if you could see out your door which you can’t, because of the SNOW in APRIL!”