AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) - Our first winter storm of the season has arrived and is already causing slick travel conditions in New Mexico and the Texas panhandle. WINTER STORM WARNINGS AND WINTER WEATHER ADVISORIES will be in effect through the day Tuesday expiring from west to east.

Snow rates are reaching 1" per hour in places and could stay at this rate for several hours allowing many to reach 4 to 6 inches of snow accumulation very quickly. Near white out conditions have already been reported on parts of I-27 near Tulia and Happy, Texas causing hazardous travel.

Expect slowdowns on the road as travel is brought to a crawl this morning in places. Snow will taper off throughout the day ending in the evening from west to east.

Afternoon travel impacts are expected but should be at a moderate level rather than a major one. Childress, Texas has already switched to wet heavy snow and minor accumulations are being noted as of 5AM Tuesday morning.

4 to 6 inches of snowfall will be possible in areas around Wellington and Childress, Texas. Widespread snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches are likely by 5PM this afternoon for areas on top of the caprock around the highway 60 corridor from Clovis, New Mexico up to Pampa, Texas.

Small scale snow banding could produce locally higher amounts that will flirt with the double digits making it one of the snowiest events the Texas panhandle has seen in several years. Amarillo's current daily snowfall record for January 24th is 2.5"" that was set back in 1978. We will shatter that record and many others will break their record as well. 2" of snow is already on the ground as of 5:45AM in downtown Amarillo.

Numerous schools are delayed or closed. To get the latest closures, click here.

To stay up to date on the latest forecast, download our Storm Search 7 weather app to stay weather aware even on the go in the Panhandle Spirit.