A chance of showers near 70; rain possible Friday night

Automatic update, 7:47 p.m.: It's running cooler than NWS's earlier hour-by-hour forecast: at 7:15 p.m. the La Porte airport reported clear and 52 degrees, where that forecast had about 57. There are no watches, warnings, or advisories for La Porte County right now.

Keep an umbrella handy: NWS gives today a 40% chance of rain. Today, NWS says: A chance of rain showers between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Partly sunny. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Its hour-by-hour forecast for work hours: rain possible from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. (up to 40%). Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 43. The La Porte airport at 4:15 a.m.: mostly cloudy and 61.

Friday through Monday: a chance of showers at times (20 to 50%), highs 62 to 67. Tuesday: showers likely (60%), high near 68; Tuesday night showers likely (60%).

What changed in NWS's forecast since yesterday's Scoop: today's chance of rain is now 40% (from 60%), the rain is out of tonight's forecast (it was 20%) and Friday night's chance of rain is now 40% (from 20%). NWS Northern Indiana forecasters' key messages this morning: "20% to 40% chance of isolated showers this afternoon as a cold front moves through. Remaining very warm ahead of the front." "Not quite as warm this weekend but still above-normal to end October." Yesterday we said a high of 74; the La Porte airport got 75.

Right now there are no watches, warnings or advisories for La Porte County or for Porter and Lake counties next door. SPC shows only general thunderstorms here today, none Friday and Saturday, and WPC shows no flooding-rain risk at La Porte through Monday.