WET CHILLS TO LINGER IN AREA.

Byline: Orith Goldberg Staff Writer

Chilly temperatures and intermittent showers are expected to spray the San Fernando Valley with up to half an inch of rain through tonight, forecasters said.

``A couple of storms will be rolling through here for the next four to five days and it will continue to stay wet until Wednesday, with the best chance of showers ... Sunday morning,'' said National Weather Service meteorologist Curt Kaplan.

This is the latest of the recent storm systems out of the Gulf of Alaska. It is expected to bring showers through midweek.

Kaplan said there was a 90 percent chance of rain Friday night into today, with scattered showers tapering off by afternoon. Today's highs are expected to be in the low to mid-50s.

A winter storm watch was issued Friday for Los Angeles County mountains through Sunday, with snow levels dropping to 3,000 feet.

Forecasters expect an accumulation of 5 to 10 inches of snow above 4,000 feet on local mountains and 2 to 4 inches of snow at elevations between 3,000 and 4,000 feet, Kaplan said.

As well, Kaplan said west-facing beaches will feel the weather today and could have 4- to 6-foot surf, with a few sets of 7-footers.

Recent storm systems, also originating from the Gulf of Alaska, have brought cooler temperatures.

For the new week, there will be a 70 percent chance of showers Sunday, with highs expected in the low to mid-50s. Rain is also expected Monday and Tuesday, with highs in the 50s, with Wednesday expected to be partly cloudy with a chance of showers, Kaplan said.

Highs in the Valley and surrounding areas Friday ranged from 53 to 62 degrees and the lows ranged from 32 to 39 degrees. Chatsworth tied the record for the date of 36 degrees set in 1989, forecasters said.