WTOC-TV: Savannah, Beaufort, SC, News, Weather & Sports Weather Discussion from Pat Prokop

Tuesday Evening, May 22, 2012

Weather Discussion and Forecast from Pat Prokop

Scattered Afternoon Thunderstorms:
After a partly cloudy start, a band of showers and thunderstorms developed during the afternoon, some with small to medium size hail.  Hail was indicated in Toombs County and pea size hail reported in eastern Chatham Co around Oatland Island and Whitemarsh Island.  The atmosphere will be a little less unstable tomorrow with rain chances slightly lower but there will be 30% chance for the afternoon thundershowers. 

For the rest of the week through the 3 day Memorial Day weekend, it will be generally fair to partly cloudy with scattered afternoon and early evening thundershowers, with most of those west of I-95.

Events in the Evening Sky:
Venus is dominating the western evening sky as the third brightest object in the sky only outshone by the sun and moon.  This also knonw as 'The Evening Star'.  Almost directly overhead at 10 pm is ruddy red Mars is now shining brightly in the foot of Leo the Lion.  A bright yellow star is prominent in the east at 10 pm; that is 'Arcturus' [pronounced ARK-TOO-RUS].  This is easy to identify.  Look to the north then and you should easily find the 'Big Dipper' ('Ursa Major' or 'Big Bear') .  Look at the handle of the Big Dipper and recite this rhymn: "Follow the arc to Arcturus ... then follow the spike to Spica."  Spica is a bright bluish star in the constellation of 'Virgo" (the virgin) which is now low in the east to southeast at that time.  Just to the left of the bluish bright Spica is the planet Saturn, a dull yellow in color.  

My Forecast:
Mostly cloudy this evening with showers and thunderstorms possible becoming partly cloudy overnight, lows in the mid 60s. 

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Patrick Prokop