A blast of winter has brought more rain and snow to New Mexico, resulting in school closures, cancellation of some weekend athletic events and difficult driving conditions.

The highest mountain peaks in Northern New Mexico could see as much as a foot of snow, but National Weather Service meteorologist Jason Frazier says the system is fairly warm and snow levels shouldn’t drop low enough for Albuquerque to see more than occasional flurries.

School let out early Friday in Santa Fe and Los Alamos, and employees at Los Alamos National Laboratory were sent home early because of the inclement weather. Many state government workers were allowed to leave mid-afternoon to pick up children from schools and head home before the roads became icy.

The state Department of Transportation says crews in Northern New Mexico have been busy spreading salt and cinder on the roadways. Difficult driving conditions were reported along stretches of Interstate 25, and a state road near the New Mexico-Colorado border was closed late Friday due to snow-packed conditions. The state is posting updates on road conditions at nmroads.com.

Downtown Santa Fe was slick with ice Friday night and was expected to be icy again Saturday morning.

Snow accumulations varied widely based on reports from trained observers to the National Weather Service. Jemez Springs saw 7 inches of snow. The south and east side of the Sangre de Cristos, in the communities of Pecos, Terrero and Rociada, reported 6 to 8 inches of snow by Friday night.

Santa Fe Public Schools announced cancellation of various activities and events due to weather:

• The middle school girls basketball tournament at Capital High School was canceled both Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15.

• The varsity wrestling tournament scheduled for Saturday at Capital High also was canceled.

• Junior varsity boys basketball teams won’t travel to the Bernalillo tournament, which was scheduled for both Friday and Saturday.

• The middle school wrestling tournament scheduled for Saturday has been canceled.

• The Santa Fe Swim Meet scheduled at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center on Friday and Saturday will take place on Saturday only.

• The Santa Fe High School Winter Fest scheduled for Friday evening was canceled.

The Capital City Tournament at Santa Fe High School will continue as scheduled on Saturday, and Santa Fe High’s 2012 Musical Theater Showcase “I Believe” will continue as scheduled at 2 and 7:33 p.m. Saturday.