SAN FRANCISCO  — A storm predicted to bring torrential rains and hurricane force winds pushed across parts of Northern California early today, after residents stocked up on supplies, schools canceled classes and communities prepared for possible emergencies.

Moderate rain and gusty winds began hitting the area north of San Francisco late Wednesday with heavier rain expected in coming hours across the across the region, the National Weather Service said.

As much as 8 inches of rain could fall on coastal mountains over a 24-hour period starting late Wednesday, the weather service said.

The storm is “slowly going to be advancing toward the south through the day today,” weather service meteorologist Charles Bell said early today.

“We’re also seeing winds pick up,” he said, noting gusts of up to 50 mph were hitting some buoys off the coast.