Tropical Storm Alberto Forms Offshore, Will Miss N.J.

An unusual, early-season tropical storm has formed off the Carolinas, and though it may brush the Outer Banks, its effects will be minimal – if there are any at all – at the Jersey Shore.

Tropical Storm Alberto was centered about 90 miles southeast of Charleston, S.C Sunday morning, packing winds up to 45 m.p.h.

A tropical system is desgnated an official tropical storm when its sustained wind speed reaches 39 m.p.h.

According to Justin Roberti of AccuWeather.com, Alberto is expected to meander off the South Carolina coast the rest of this weekend before turning northeastward into the open waters of the Atlantic early next week, grazing the Outer Banks of North Carolina in the process.

It is not expected to ever reach hurricane strength, meaning wind speeds of 74 m.p.h.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami say the storm should turn out to sea by midweek, before it could affect the Jersey Shore area, though there may be some residual clouds if it passes close enough to the coastline. The Outer Banks of North Carolina could be grazed with rain and wind.

Though hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, tropical systems can form outside that date window. Alberto is the earliest named storm since Tropical Storm Ana formed on April 20, 2003.