SOGGY OCTOBER BUCKS THE NORM.

Byline: Donna Huffaker Staff Writer

The weekend storm out of the Gulf of Alaska was expected to continue through tonight's rush hour, giving the Valley a soaking that is unusual for this time of year, according to the National Weather Service.

``Usually in October the San Fernando Valley only gets about a half an inch of rain - we got that last Thursday into Friday,'' weather specialist Stuart Seto said.

The storm likely will drop up to two-thirds of an inch of rain in the coastal areas, up to three-quarters of an inch in the valleys and up to 2 inches in the mountains, Seto said. The precipitation is expected to taper off tonight.

On Sunday, the persistent rain kept windshield wipers working overtime on the freeways, but did not force the cancelation of one of the day's largest outdoor events.

More than 3,000 walkers for breast cancer research and awareness, many wearing plastic bags and other makeshift rain gear, trudged along Pacific Coast Highway in a procession 10 miles long. They netted an estimated $6.6 million on the last leg of the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, which ended on the rain-soaked sands of Zuma Beach in Malibu.

By 4 p.m. Sunday, 0.08 inches had fallen in Burbank during the previous 24 hours, the National Weather Service reported. Heavier rains fell in the western end of the San Fernando Valley, dampening driving visibility, officials said. Malibu had the most rain as of 4 p.m., with 0.82 inches.

With the rain comes a drop in temperature, Seto said, predicting today's high to stay in the 60s. Normal high temperature for this time of year in Burbank is 82 degrees.

Although November is the month in which the rains typically begin, the winter as a whole is expected to be warmer and drier than unusual, Seto said.

``We just seem to be getting it a little early,'' he said. ``This is just the first edge. There's several more (storms) coming in behind it,'' he said.

Staff Writer Erik Nelson contributed to this story.

CAPTION(S):

photo, chart

Photo:

A little moisture's not enough to keep Gary Wayne of North Hollywood away from fishing at Hansen Dam on Sunday.

Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer

Chart: RAINFALL TOTALS