Five Things You Need to Know Today, Oct. 31

1. Today's weather: The National Weather Service is calling for showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 63. South wind 13 to 15 mph. A chance of showers, mainly before 7 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45. South wind 7 to 9 mph.

2. Hurricane Sandy coverage: Be sure to follow our ongoing coverage of Hurricane Sandy as the storm winds down and the Portsmouth area recovers from whatever damage and power outages Sandy has left in her wake.

3. Portsmouth Halloween Parade: Neither rain, wind or any Hurricane Sandy remnants will stop the annual Portsmouth Halloween Parade that will go on as scheduled on Wednesday, Oct. 31 (Halloween). The parade marchers will step off at 7 p.m. at Prescott Park and march through downtown Portsmouth.

4. Trick of treat postponed: Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen DuBois announced Saturday that , from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. due to Hurricane Sandy.

5. Patch Halloween Pet Costume contest: Do you think your pet has the cutest Halloween costume? Then you will definitely want to enter them in the Patch Best Pet Halloween Costume contest between now and 9 a.m. on Nov. 1.