Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain Hits West Texas

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- Heavy snow and freezing precipitation over parts of West Texas downed tree limbs and power lines as driving turned treacherous.

Classes were canceled at midday Thursday at Texas Tech University due to the winter weather.

National Weather Service meteorologist Justin Weaver said the storm could generate up to 8 inches of snow in counties northwest of Lubbock.

The storm in Lubbock began as rain early Thursday before conditions turned colder and sleet started to fall.

U.S. 54 from Dalhart, near the Oklahoma border, to New Mexico was closed Thursday. Many flights in and out of Lubbock and Amarillo airports were canceled. American Eagle on Thursday afternoon canceled all flights at Wichita Falls Municipal Airport.