(09-19) 08:55 PDT alameda -- (09-19) 09:59 PDT ALAMEDA - An unusual storm sweeping the state is bringing cooler temperatures and high winds to the Bay Area, prompting the Alameda Harbor Bay Ferry to cancel ferry service today between the East Bay and San Francisco.
Spokesman Ernest Sanchez said officials expect to be able to resume service Thursday on the commuter ferry, which runs from Alameda's Harbor Bay Island to the Ferry Plaza in San Francisco.
"Assuming the winds calm down, sure," he said. "We would come back tonight if the winds die down, but I see that weather forecast is calling for high winds."
Sanchez said it is up to the ferry captain to determine when weather conditions are too dangerous for passengers.
A storm system from the northwest will bring strong winds and the possibility of showers to the Bay Area and snow in the Sierra over the next day or so, said National Weather Service forecaster Matt Mehle.
Winds are expected to be 20 to 30 mph today with gusts up to 45 mph, Mehle said. The weather service has already measured gusts as high as 35 mph on several buoys just off the coast, he said.
Temperatures in the Bay Area are unlikely to get out of the 60s today.
"What's going on is we have a pretty potent storm system pushing in from the north, bringing cold air and also creating scattered showers and strong winds across much of the area," Mehle said. "The strongest winds are going to be along the immediate coast ... and will peak later today and into tonight, then die off tomorrow.
"This system is somewhat unusual this time of year," Mehle said. "It's more like a winter storm. This is from the Pacific Northwest ... and it's a pretty big system."
E-mail Marisa Lagos at mlagos@sfchronicle.com.
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