PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Public Safety and Department of Transportation are urging residents and travelers in high country to avoid travel for the next 48 hours.

Officials said many roadway surfaces are slippery and may be impassable due to snow accumulation, especially in Cococino, Gila, Mohave, Navajo and Yavapai counties.

ADOT has also issued a winter driving advisory and has closed several roads due to conditions and crashes.

Closed Or Restricted Roads

• Northbound Interstate 17 is closed at milepost 310 near the Yavapai and Coconino county line due to multiple collisions and tractor-trailers stuck in both travel lanes.
• Northbound State Route 87 is restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles only heading northbound from milepost 265 near the Strawberry and Pine areas due to heavy snowfall.
• Eastbound State Route 260 is also restricted to vehicles with chains or four-wheel drive at milepost 277 east of Payson in the Christopher Creek area.
• West Rim Drive, also known as Hermit Road, in the Grand Canyon National Park has been closed. Officials said it will likely not be reopened until Tuesday due to weather predictions of continuing snowfall.
• U.S. 180 is closed in both directions from mileposts 236 to 248.

Transportation officials said there's no estimated time for opening the roads.

As of Monday afternoon, several areas in Northern Arizona were receiving heavy snowfall resulting in limited visibility. Many state highways now require snow chains or four-wheel drive.

Officials said the majority of snow problems are on I-17 north of Camp Verde to Flagstaff; however, there have been rock falls in the Copper Canyon area south of Camp Verde and in Oak Creek Canyon north of Sedona.

Officials said roads throughout the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park are snowpacked and icy at this time, and they advised motorists to use caution when driving in the park and to be prepared for the possibility of additional road closures. West Rim Drive, or Hermit Road, has already been closed.

DPS officers began investigating several weather-related collisions early Monday morning and have been providing assistance to numerous motorists who either slid off of the roadway or became disabled in the snow. In all, DPS said officers have responded to 15 collisions involving injuries, 31 non-injury collisions and 149 reports of vehicles sliding off roadways.

DPS urges all motorists to slow down and be very attentive to changing weather, road and traffic conditions while driving with extreme caution.

Current road and weather conditions can be found on the ADOT Web site.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

If you must travel during heavy snowfall, officials advise motorists to prepare for the storm by having a full tank of gas, bringing warm clothes, snow chains or cables, food, water, a cell phone, and by knowing the weather and road conditions to and from their destination.

Officials also advise letting someone know where you're going, what route you will be taking, and when you expect to arrive.

When on the road, DPS has many tips to help ensure a safe trip.

• Take your time and be patient.
• Brake slowly and avoid panic braking.
• Accelerate slowly to get the best traction.
• Turn slowly and gradually; avoid abrupt turns.
• Increase the distance between you and traffic ahead in order to allow yourself plenty of time to brake for or steer around upcoming hazards.
• Be cautious on bridges, as ice forms easily on them.
• Be wary of shaded areas, as ice forms easily in them.
• When stopped on a roadway, keep to the right to allow emergency vehicles to pass.
• Maintain distance when following snow plows.

If you get into a crash, become stuck, or pull over to take a break, officials said it is important to remain inside the vehicle. Sliding vehicles are hard to hear and low visibility can lead to more people being hit.

Also, officials urge drivers to be aware of black ice, which is hard to see and forms with very little moisture during freezing temperatures.

Other parts of the state are experiencing rain, which also creates slippery roadway surfaces, and drivers in those regions are advised to use caution as well.

Stay with CBS 5 News and KPHO.com for the latest weather and driving conditions.