CHILLY WEATHER COMING TO SOUTHLAND WINTER STORM WATCH ISSUED FOR TONIGHT.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

Usually balmy Southern California will get downright chilly this weekend as a blast of cold air moves in from Alaska, bringing heavy rain and thunderstorms to Los Angeles and snow to the local mountains, forecasters said Thursday.

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch beginning tonight, warning of cold temperatures, wind gusts to 40 mph and significant precipitation, including snow possibly as low as the 1,500-foot level.

Rain and snow will make travel treacherous, officials said, especially along Interstate 5 from Castaic to Grapevine, as well as Interstate 15 through Soledad Canyon.

``People like to go to the mountains when there is snow, but they need to make sure that the roadways are clear and open and that they have chains if required,'' said California Highway Patrol Officer Humberto Jimenez.

The San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys will see daytime highs in the mid-50s, with nighttime lows near 40. The highs in the Antelope Valley will be around 50, with nighttime lows dipping to 30 tonight and Saturday and 28 on Sunday.

Rainfall from tonight through Sunday is expected to range from a half-inch to an inch across coastal and valley locations, with 2 inches in the foothills and mountains.

Officials at mountain resorts said they will welcome the snow, but the stormy conditions might slow traffic over the weekend.

``We're looking forward to it. Any snow that we get is going to be fantastic,'' said John McColly, director of marketing for Mountain High Resort in Wrightwood.

``I think we are going to see good business this weekend, but not huge crowds because of the weather. I hope we have great business next week.''

Ventura County agriculture officials said the Southland's winter has been mild, encouraging avocado trees to bloom early, and farmers fear that the cold snap could slow the bloom and reduce next year's crop.

Agricultural Commissioner Earl McPhail said farmers will be staying close to home this weekend to protect their crops.

``These late winter storms are pretty unpredictable, especially this far south,'' he said. ``Normally we don't have any major freezes after February, but anything is possible.

``If it gets below 28 for four hours, we could get some damage to avocados, lemons, oranges and strawberries. But as long as we don't get any freezing weather it shouldn't make that much difference.''

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

HELPFUL HINTS

The Gas Co. offers the following tips for saving energy during cold weather, since home and water heating make up about 85 percent of winter natural gas use:

--Lower the thermostat 3 to 5 degrees and turn it off when not at home.

--Check the furnace filter monthly and clean or replace it.

--Caulk and weather-strip drafty doors and windows.

--Take shorter, cooler showers.

--Use cool or cold water when washing clothes.

--Run the dishwasher only when full.

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HELPFULL HINTS (see text)