BISMARCK, N.D. – The Latest on the blizzard pushing across North Dakota (all times local):

6:30 p.m.

A blizzard is pushing eastward across North Dakota after dumping up to 7 inches of snow in Bismarck.

The National Weather Service says winds Tuesday evening were still gusting up to 45 mph near Jamestown, with visibility cut to a half-mile.

A wind chill advisory is out for western North Dakota until noon Central time Wednesday. Wind-chill readings could drop to 25 degrees below zero through Wednesday morning.

Parts of major highways, including Interstates 94 and 29, were closed in North Dakota because of the blowing and drifting snow.

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2:10 p.m.

Transportation and highway safety officials continue to close major roads in North Dakota as December blizzard bears down on the state.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and the Highway Patrol say Highway 2 from Lakota to the Grand Forks Airport is closing at 3 p.m. Tuesday due to strong winds, areas of zero visibility with blowing and drifting snow. That’s about a 60-mile stretch. Portions of Interstate 94 and 29 closed earlier.

Officials say motorists who drive past a road closure barrier could be fined up to $250.

The Minot International Airport cancelled all flights because of low visibility.

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12:30 p.m.

Schools, businesses, government offices and major interstates were closed Tuesday as a December blizzard bore down on North Dakota.

Law enforcement officials encouraged residents in many regions against venturing out in the dangerous storm that packed heavy snow and wind.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol extended the 230-mile closure of Interstate 94 further east to Fargo on Tuesday. Both lanes of I-94 were closed from Dickinson to Fargo. Northbound and southbound Interstate 29 was also closed between Fargo and the Canadian border due to zero visibility and blowing and drifting snow.

Residents were asked not to travel in Minot, Devils Lake, Bismarck, Valley City, Fargo, Grand Forks and surrounding areas.

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10:43 a.m.

A December blizzard has shut down a major interstate across North Dakota.

The state Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol have closed both eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 94 between Dickinson and Valley City. That’s more than 200 miles of interstate that cuts across North Dakota.

The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for much of western and central North Dakota through Tuesday afternoon. Schools across the region closed as officials advised against travel. And, some government offices, including Bismarck and Burleigh County won’t open Tuesday.

Falling snow and wind gusts of up to 50 mph have created near zero visibility on some roads.