Morning shower chance, then sunny and cooler into the weekend

A chance of a shower this morning, then a mostly sunny, breezy Thursday in the upper 60s, the National Weather Service says. The weekend starts sunny and cooler.

The forecast

The National Weather Service in Norton expects the following in Gloucester, in its 2:29 a.m. update:

• Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. A 30 percent chance of showers between 9 a.m. and noon. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
• Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 50. West wind around 8 mph.
• Friday: Sunny, with a high near 65. West wind of 8 to 12 mph.
• Friday night: Clear, with a low around 44.
• Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60. West wind of 3 to 9 mph.
• Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.

On the water

A small craft advisory is in effect for Massachusetts Bay and Ipswich Bay until 11 a.m. today. This morning, southwest winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 25 knots, seas of 2 to 3 feet and a chance of showers. Tonight, west winds of 10 to 15 knots and seas around 2 feet. Friday, west winds of 10 to 15 knots with gusts up to 20 knots and seas around 2 feet. Saturday, northwest winds of 5 to 10 knots, with seas easing to 1 foot or less. Showers are likely Sunday night into Monday.

Tides

High tides in Gloucester Harbor, according to NOAA predictions:

• Thursday: 10:09 a.m. (9.6 feet) and 10:32 p.m. (9.8 feet). Low tides at 3:50 a.m. and 4:14 p.m.
• Friday: 10:57 a.m. (9.9 feet) and 11:22 p.m. (9.7 feet). Low tides at 4:40 a.m. and 5:05 p.m.
• Saturday: 11:41 a.m. (10 feet). Low tides at 5:24 a.m. and 5:51 p.m.

Rockport's high tides come a minute or two earlier than Gloucester Harbor's. In the Essex River, they come about 11 to 13 minutes later.

Hurricane Isaias

Isaias is headed for the northern Gulf Coast and will not bring storm conditions to Cape Ann. Its leftovers could bring rain showers late Sunday into Columbus Day. Read what the storm means for the weekend.

Drought: state task force meets today

The state's drought task force meets today at 9:30 a.m. Its most recent declaration, from Sept. 10, keeps the Northeast region, which includes Cape Ann, at Level 1, a mild drought. Rockport still bans all outdoor water use. Why Rockport banned outdoor watering as the drought eased. Read the rules for each town.

Earlier coverage: Breezy night, near 69 Thursday with a chance of a morning shower (Oct. 7), Wednesday's forecast and the small craft advisory.