x
Breaking News
More () »

Subtropical Storm Alberto forms in Caribbean, heads for U.S. Gulf Coast

A subtropical storm has characteristics of both a tropical and non-tropical storm. Many times subtropical storms transform into true tropical storms or hurricanes.

The first named storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season has formed, the National Hurricane Center said.

Subtropical Storm Alberto developed Friday morning and is located about 85 miles southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Its top sustained winds were 40 mph. It's expected to continue moving north through the Gulf over the weekend, with gradual strengthening.

The NHC said Friday afternoon that the tropical storm watch has been issued from Indian Pass, Florida, westward to Grand Isle, Louisiana along a swath that also includes parts of Alabama and Mississippi. The storm surge watch was issued for a stretch from Horseshoe Beach, Florida, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

"Alberto could bring tropical storm conditions and storm surge to portions of the central and eastern Gulf Coast later this weekend and early next week," the hurricane center said.

The slow-moving storm will also dump heavy rain across much of the southeastern United States through Memorial Day weekend.

The storm is forecast to bring between six and 12 inches of rain to the Northwest Florida area, and there is the possibility of 12 to 24 inches of rain in some areas, the National Weather Service in Mobile, Ala., said.

The downpours could dampen Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer tourist season along Gulf beaches. Along with heavy rains and high winds comes rough seas and a threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana. Those currents can sweep swimmers out to sea.

See Also: NOAA predicts 10-16 named storms, forecasting a near or above-average hurricane season

Julie Hilton, a hotel owner in Panama City Beach, Fla., said people are canceling because of the weather and room reservations are down about 20 percent.

A flash flood watch has been issued for every coastal county in the Mobile office's jurisdiction — an area that includes Escambia and Santa Rosa counties and stretches from Northwest Florida to Mississippi — beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday and running to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

"We cannot rule out the possibility of this system becoming a hurricane before it makes landfall sometime on Monday or Monday evening," according to AccuWeather meteorologist Dan Kottlowski.

A subtropical storm has characteristics of both a tropical and non-tropical storm. Many times subtropical storms transform into true tropical storms or hurricanes.

The tropical threat comes earlier than usual. The six-month hurricane season doesn't begin until June 1.

Contributing: The Pensacola News Journal; The Associated Press

Live Radar:

Stay connected 24/7 via 13News Now

Get the 13News Now App and the 13News Now Weathercaster App free in the Apple store.

13News Now Weather Twitter Page

13News Now Weather Page

13News Now Facebook Page

13News Now on Twitter @13NewsNow

13News Now on YouTube

13News Now on Instagram

Before You Leave, Check This Out