Early showers, then drier near 66; rain likely Thursday

Automatic update, 5:32 a.m.: Since the Scoop below was written, NWS has lowered its chance of rain for today to 60% (from 90%). At 4:35 a.m. the La Porte airport reported cloudy and 64 degrees. Over the next 12 hours, NWS's hour-by-hour forecast has rain likely from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. (up to 60%) and rain possible from 8 a.m. to noon (up to 46%). There are no watches, warnings, or advisories for La Porte County right now.

An early shower is possible, then it's mostly dry. Today, NWS says: Rain showers before 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy. High near 66, with temperatures falling to around 60 in the afternoon. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. The La Porte airport at 4:35 a.m.: cloudy and 64.

Thursday: mostly cloudy, then a chance of showers (30%), high near 56; Thursday night showers likely (60%). Friday: showers likely (70%), high near 50; Friday night a chance of showers (50%). Mostly sunny and dry Saturday through Monday, highs 50 to 57. The models disagree on Thursday's high, so that is less certain.

What changed in NWS's forecast since yesterday's Scoop: today's chance of rain is now 90% (from 60%), Thursday now has a 30% chance of rain and Thursday night's chance of rain is now 60% (from 30%). NWS Northern Indiana forecasters' key messages this morning: "Rain arrives from south to north this morning." "Not as warm today but remaining somewhat breezy with wind gusts of 25 to 30 mph."

Right now there are no watches, warnings or advisories for La Porte County or for Porter and Lake counties next door. SPC shows no thunderstorm or severe risk here through Friday, and WPC shows no flooding-rain risk at La Porte through Sunday.