The U.S. National Weather Service says a massive winter storm blamed for at least six deaths has worked its way deeper into the central United States and made highways impassable in five states.

The weather service said Tuesday that blizzard conditions caused hotels to fill up quickly along major roadways from eastern New Mexico to Kansas, and that nearly 100 rescue calls came in from motorists in the Texas panhandle. New Mexico was blanketed by 60 centimeters of snow, while in parts of Colorado, snow drifts of up to 3 meters were reported. Forecasters, however, say the storm is coming to an end.

The snowfall has been welcomed by many in areas such as Oklahoma and Texas, which have suffered from a long drought.

The bad weather comes as many motorists take to the roads for the holidays.