Tropical Storm Alberto

Storm Summary

• Quick Facts
  
• Formed: May 19
• Last named storm this early: Subtrop. Storm Andrea (May 9-11, 2007)

The first tropical storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season has formed, 13 days before the official start of the season.

Tropical Storm Alberto developed Saturday afternoon from a disturbance off the coast of the Carolinas. Alberto is expected to drift slowly southwest through Sunday, but a trough of low pressure swinging in from the nation's midsection should pick Alberto up and carry it to the north and northeast by early next week.

Above you can access the latest graphics showing the current storm information, projected path and the latest satellite imagery. For more details and the latest on Alberto, check our Tropical Update.

Alberto is the earliest-forming tropical storm in the Atlantic since 2003 when Ana developed in April. This is also the first time on record that both the Atlantic and eastern Pacific have seen named storms develop before the official start of their respective seasons.

Can't say I didn't warn you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

since when did Atlantic Hurricanes move SouthWest? and then loop NorthEast
This is unnatural for any storm to circle on the east coast.........
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2012's first Atlantic storm strengthens off South Carolina

Tropical storm watch issued for coast; Alberto's maximum winds at 50 mph

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47487848/ns/weather/#.T7qHJlLpdPE






NASA / Reuters Tropical Storm Alberto, top left, is seen in this satellite image taken Saturday.

msnbc.com staff and news service reports

updated <abbr style="display: inline;" class="dtstamp updated" title="2012-05-20T04:31:27">5/20/2012 12:31:27 AM ET</abbr>

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MIAMI — A tropical storm watch was issued for the South Carolina coast after Alberto formed on Saturday, bringing an early start to the Atlantic hurricane season.
Tropical Storm Alberto had maximum sustained winds at 50 mph. At 11 p.m. EDT, Alberto was centered about 110 miles south of Charleston and 155 miles east of Savannah, forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center said. It was moving southwest at about 6 mph.
An earlier report from a ship near the storm's center had put maximum sustained winds at 60 mph, the Hurricane Center said.
A tropical storm watch was in effect from the Savannah River south to the South Santee River. The Hurricane Center advised people on the coast from Georgia to NorthCarolina's Outer Banks to monitor Alberto's progress.
Alberto had been 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.

I was thinking the same thing. If it is going SW, it is moving backwards (counterclockwise).

I dont remember any other storm moving south along the Atlantic. Strange. Maybe I just never paid attention to it before.

Looks like the 1920's/30's weather pattern is shaping up and quite well.

K-