Snow could be dropping on Las Vegas for New Year's

LAS VEGAS - While most New Year's revelers expect a ball to drop, or perhaps even a light dousing of champagne spray, it is very unlikely anyone in Las Vegas expects snow to be falling on their heads.

Yet a winter storm is expected to hit the Las Vegas Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing dangerous conditions on the roads.

Transportation agencies are preparing for the winter weather, reports CBS affiliate KLAS in Las Vegas.

"Keep in mind, this is New Year's Eve in Las Vegas of all places, and we don't see a whole lot of snow," said NDOT spokesman Tony Illia. "Use your common sense when you're driving. Don't speed. Don't be reckless. Take your time."

Illia says the transportation agency has 30 snow plows in its district which cover all of southern Nevada, reports KLAS.

Meteorologist Danielle Niles of CBS Boston reports many areas in the Continental U.S. will experience a New Year's chill.

Despite the coming snow, most states in the Midwest and Northeast saw unusually small snow accumulations in December, Niles reports.

Fresh snow is already falling in Colorado. Snow and ice have already been reported on sections of some highways in eastern and northern New Mexico as a winter storm moves into the state.

The state Department of Transportation says snow and ice were reported Tuesday morning on Interstate 25 near Las Vegas and on Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa.

Other highways in the regions also have snow and icy spots.

The National Weather Service says strong east canyon winds will continue Tuesday in the middle Rio Grande Valley, and the forecasters say significant snowfall is possible over much of western and central New Mexico beginning late Wednesday afternoon.