Monday Evening, May 21, 2012
Weather Discussion and Forecast from Pat Prokop
Tropical Storm Alberto Out ... Warmth In:
Tropical storm Alberto continues t move away being about 220
miles SE of Savannah and moving into the open waters of the Atlantic. The system is undergoing moderate to strong
wind shear now which is tearing the storm apart. Maximum winds are at minimum tropical storm
strength of 39 mph. This storm will most
likely degenerate into the a sub-tropical depression by tomorrow and then
dissipate east of the mid Atlantic coast.
The only effects from this system for us will be the continue risk for
rip currents along local area beaches.
By Wednesday, this threat will also be gone.
Otherwise, a weak front will enter the region
tomorrow and Wednesday initiating a moderate chance for scattered afternoon and
evening showers and thunderstorms. Drier
and warm air will move into the region for the end of the week with fine
weather setting the stage for a fine 3 day Memorial Day weekend with fair to partly
cloudy conditions with scattered afternoon and evening thundershowers, mainly
west of I-95. The beaches will be
packed.
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:
Partly cloudy with a slight chance for showers early this
evening becoming fair during the night, lows in mid 60s.
Partly cloudy tomorrow with a 40% chance for
showers and thunderstorms, highs in the upper 80s, lows in the mid 60s.
Wednesday: Fair to partly cloudy with a slight
chance for scattered thundershowers, highs near 90, lows in the mid 60s.
Thursday & Friday: Fair to partly cloudy,
highs in the upper 80s, lows in the mid 60s.
Saturday through Monday: Fair to partly cloudy with a slight chance for
scattered afternoon and early evening thundershowers, highs in the upper 80s,
lows in the upper 60s.
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Patrick Prokop
Broadcast Meteorologist at WTOC since 1980
E-mail: pprokop@wtoc.comTwitter: "@wtocpat"
Facebook: "Friends of Pat Prokp" and "WTOC"
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