Cooler temperatures are forecast for the Southland

There’s a possibility of badly needed rain next weekend, weather service says.

Prepare to bundle up, Los Angeles.

Cooler temperatures are expected to hit the region over the next few days, bringing chilly nights, cloudy skies and a 30% chance of rain headed into next weekend.

The forecast is fluctuating, National Weather Service meteorologist Joe Sirard cautioned Saturday, but current models show that the Southern California region is expected to see highs in the 60s beginning Monday, with lows in the mid-40s at night.

General cloudiness is expected Wednesday, with patchy fog starting that evening and continuing until Thursday.

The region could see rain by Dec. 3.

“We need the rain really badly,” Sirard said. “It ended up being a dry winter last year.”

This year’s rainfall — though greater than last year’s at this point — is considered normal. Some of the region saw record rainfall earlier this month; the hope is that the trend continues.

“We’re cautiously optimistic that we’re going to get more rain in the coming weeks,” Sirard said.

Meanwhile, sunny skies and temperatures ranging from the high 60s to low 70s are forecast for much of Southern California on Sunday. The evening is expected to be partly cloudy, with lows in the 50s.

Genaro Molina Los Angeles Times A PASSING STORM left puddles on Windward Avenue in Venice earlier this month. Meteorologists are “cautiously optimistic” that more rain is on the way.