CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A storm that brought the first heavy snow of autumn to a large portion of the Rockies and western plains prompted officials to close schools in Wyoming today and was blamed for dozens of accidents in the state and in neighboring Colorado.

Up to 18 inches of snow was forecast in Denver and along the northern Colorado Front Range. As much as 4 feet was possible in the Colorado mountains. Cheyenne was expected to get at least 14 inches before the storm moves off Thursday afternoon.

The National Weather Service predicted similar amounts for a wide area of the Wyoming, Nebraska and Colorado plains. The storm also brought snow to northern Utah's Wasatch Front.

Most of the roughly 70 accidents in Wyoming happened on Interstate 80 before the Wyoming Department of Transportation closed the highway between Cheyenne and Laramie early today. Nine crashes caused injuries but no one was killed.