RAIN EXPECTED TO FALL IN SOUTHLAND TODAY.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

Rain that began showing up in the Valley Saturday night is expected to contiune today and possibly Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Despite mild temperatures hovering in the 60s in much of the San Fernando Valley, much-needed rain is expected to come and go over the next couple of days, said Clint Simpson, a Weather Service meteorologist.

Simpson said that a main frontal system was hitting the San Francisco bay area Saturday and heading south. Scattered rain fell in the Valley Saturday night. The storm was expected to trigger rain in the Southern California area Sunday.

``We're just really hoping we get a significant amount of rain across Southern California the next few days, because the landscape and the mountains are very dry and we need it,'' Simpson said.

He said a large storm in the northeastern Pacific Ocean is pushing a moist flow in from the ocean, ``which means we could get some rain,'' Simpson said. ``I hope we do.''

Temperatures in Burbank today should reach a high of 66 degrees, with a nighttime low in the 40s, Simpson said, adding that strong, gusty winds are expected in local mountain areas.