1st Tropical Storm forms pre-Hurricane Season

The 1st tropical storm of the season has formed off the coast of South Carolina (United States) and is named Tropical Storm Alberto. As of 5pm this afternoon, T.S. Alberto was located at 32.2°N, 77.7°W — about 140mi ESE of Charleston, South Carolina/120mi S of Cape Fear, North Carolina/1340mi NW of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. It had maximum sustained winds of 45mph, moving South-West at 3mph.

A slow Southwest motion is expected through Sunday with a turn to the Northwest and then the North on Monday. Tropical Storm Watches may be needed along the South Carolina coast sometime tonight.

Image Courtesy: The Weather Channel

This is the 1st year the Atlantic and E. Pacific have BOTH had a named storm before their hurricane seasons started.

There are currently no Watches or Warnings in effect; however, some strengthening is possible over the next day or so. Additionally, Tropical Storm Alberto will NOT affect the local region of St. Maarten nor the rest of the Caribbean region.

Reminder:
* St. Maarten = 18.0°N, 63.1°W | Saba = 17.6°N, 63.2°W | St. Eustatius = 17.5°N, 63.0°W
* Hurricane Safety Tips (Before, During, After) will be available this week at –>> “Safety Tips“.