gusts up to 60 miles per hour toppled trees and power lines. >> we heard the wind blowing real hard. all of a sudden, we heard a big crash. >> reporter: the storm dumped heavy snow in arizona. 180 miles of i-40 closed with plows out near flagstaff. would you believe snow in phoenix? seeing is believing. in utah ice and a heightened avalanche threat forced road closures including i-15, a major highway. >> i knew it was going to be bad. but i didn't know it was going to be quite as icy. >> reporter: treacherous driving conditions in north dakota. a 100-car pile-up shut down i-94. the system moving east with strong storms in the forecast for the midwest on new year's eve. kurt gregory, nbc news. on more pleasant news, the countdown is on. we're just hours away from ringing in the new year. once again, the site of the biggest celebration will be in new york's times square where nearly a million revelers will