A ferocious storm swept through California early Thursday, bringing drenching rain, heavy snow, and violent wind gusts.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm system is "expected to be one of the strongest storms in terms of wind and rain" that the state has seen since October 2009, reports USA Today.

To prepare for the storm, which is expected to last until Friday, officials closed schools while residents stocked up on supplies. San Francisco also closed the Great Highway, which runs alongside the Pacific Ocean, due to the risk of strong winds and heavy rain.

So far, officials say wind gusts have peaked at 96 mph along the coast of Northern California, while San Francisco is expecting gusts to reach 60 mph, NBC News reports.

The storm began with moderate rain and gusty winds in Northern California late Wednesday. However, by Friday, forecasters predict the system will bring 3 to 5 inches of much needed rain to San Francisco, Sacramento and other northern cities, which have been suffering from an extended drought. Other areas may receive as much as 9 inches of rain. Meanwhile, up to 4 feet of snow could accumulate in the Sierra Nevada.

The weather system known is being fueled by the "Pineapple Express," which is a long and narrow plume that streams moisture from Hawaii toward the West Coast of the U.S.

"It's like a fully loaded Super Soaker that just unloads onto parts of California for a couple days straight," said Ari Sarsalari, a meteorologist for The Weather Channel.

Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, issued a warning about the risk of flash flooding and debris slides, especially in areas that were affected by wildfires earlier this year.

"Burned areas are especially at risk for debris slides. Even regions that don't experience regular seasonal flooding could see flash flooding during this intense storm system," he said in a statement.

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