MORE APRIL SHOWERS COMING FOR MAY FLOWERS.

Byline: Phillip W. Browne Staff Writer

The second chilly spring storm of the week was expected to hit the Southland today, dropping one-quarter to one-half of an inch of rain, but clearing out by Easter weekend.

Forecasters predicted a 50 percent chance of rain today, with the possibility of thunderstorms, as the cold air system moves through, said Bonnie Bartling, a weather specialist with the National Weather Service. Tonight's low temperatures will be in the 50s, and area mountains could get 3 inches to 5 inches of new snow.

``It's not that unusual for us to have storm systems in April. What is odd is the cold temperatures that are coming with them,'' Bartling said. ``It's usually not this cold this time of year, even with rain.''

The clouds are expected to move out by tonight, making way for a sunny but cool Easter weekend.

``It's going to be nice and mild on Easter with temperatures in the mid- 60s to lower 70s,'' Bartling said.

Last Sunday, a storm began that lasted into early Tuesday, dropping about a half-inch of rain across the region.

Bartling said, however, that after today's storm hits there do not appear to be any further systems on the horizon.

So far this year, Los Angeles has received 15.33 inches of rain, above the region's average annual rainfall of 14.6 inches. Last year was the city's driest on record, with the region recording 4.34 inches.