A sprawling storm that pelted much of the nation’s midsection with more than half a foot of snow and gusty winds created whiteout conditions that closed parts of two interstate highways and prompted officials to close schools and government offices in several states Tuesday.

Up to 12 inches of snow could blanket the  area from southeastern Colorado right up to Michigan, including western Kansas, eastern Nebraska, large parts of Iowa, northern Missouri and northwestern Illinois. Highways, schools and government offices remained closed.