Storm intensifies off Carolinas

Tropical Storm Alberto formed off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, bringing an early start to the Atlantic hurricane season, forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

A report from a ship near the storm’s center indicate that it is stronger than previously estimated, with maximum sustained winds at 60 mph, the Hurricane Center said in an update.

The storm was about 130 miles east-southeast of Charleston, S.C., and about 120 miles south of Cape Fear, N.C. The storm was moving southwest at about 3 mph, and forecasters said a storm watch might be posted later on Saturday for part of the North and South Carolina coast.

Alberto was forecast to make a slow loop during the next few days and then turn northeast, making its way along the U.S. mid-Atlantic seaboard before dissipating in about five days.

“A slow southwestward motion is expected to continue through Sunday,” the hurricane center stated. “A turn toward the west-northeast and then toward the north and northeast is expected by Monday.”

“Some strengthening is possible over the next day or so,” it added.

The season officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, but storms outside that time frame are not uncommon.

Reuters contributed to this report.

You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Leave a Reply

Powered by WordPress | Designed by: Premium WordPress Themes | Thanks to Themes Gallery, Bromoney and Wordpress Themes