A potent storm plowing into California today is bringing a heavy round of rain and snow today into tonight. This storm will create treacherous travel through some of the mountain passes in the West this weekend.

The Sierra Nevada will get the most from the storm with 1 to 2 feet likely through tonight in elevations above 7,000 feet. Travel will become extremely dangerous through the mountainous stretches of I-80 as a result. Gusty winds and blowing snow will add to travel hazards by dangerously reducing the visibility.

Heavy snow will also fall over the mountains of Southern California, but snow levels will be above the heavily traveled Tejon and Cajon passes.

The ski areas of Utah and Colorado will also get a substantial amount of fresh snow. Salt Lake City is expecting 2 or 3 inches from the storm, but Denver will get little, if anything.

An arctic cold front plunging south from western Canada will also drop snow over the northern Rockies.

Story By AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Meghan Evans.