FIRST ALERT: Tropical Storm Alberto forms in Gulf of Mexico
High risk of rip currents for entire SC coast
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Tropical Storm Alberto has formed in the Gulf of Mexico, becoming the first named storm of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
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At 11 a.m., Alberto was located about 295 miles south-southeast of Brownsville, Texas; and about 185 miles east of Tamplico, Mexico. It has maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, and was moving to the west at 9 mph.
On the forecast track, the center of Alberto will reach the coast of northeastern Mexico early Thursday morning.
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the Texas coast from San Luis Pass southward to the mouth of the Rio Grande; and the northeastern coast of Mexico south of the mouth of the Rio Grande to Puerto de Altamira.
It was expected to bring heavy rains, coastal flooding and gusty winds to the coasts of Texas and Northeastern Mexico through Thursday.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
Entire SC coast under high rip current risk
The entire South Carolina coast is under a high risk of rip currents through Wednesday night. The risk extends from Georgia through South Carolina and into Coastal Pinder and Coastal New Hanover Counties in North Carolina from 8 a.m. into the evening.
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Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Joey Sovine says Wednesday should be considered a “no-swim day” because of the heightened risk of rip currents.
Rip currents can pose a life-threatening risk by sweeping even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water.
If you must go into the water, swim near a lifeguard. If you are caught in a rip current, relax and float: Do not swim against the current. If you are able, swim in a direction following the shoreline. If you are unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help.
But because some beaches do not have lifeguards and because of the higher risk, lifeguards on duty could potentially be working to help someone else.
Chance of development still low for system approaching southeast
An area closer to the Lowcountry, however, has a lower chance of tropical development. A group of thunderstorms located several hundred miles east of the Bahamas is associated with a surface trough of low pressure.
Its chances of development into a tropical depression over the next seven days remain at just 20% as it slowly moves toward the southeastern United States.
Live 5 First Alert Meteorologist Joey Sovine says the chance of showers by the end of the week could increase as the system moves closer to the coast, even if it does not take on tropical characteristics.
Hurricane season began on June 1 and continues through Nov. 30.
Last month, the National Hurricane Center released what it called the most active pre-season forecast in the agency’s history, which calls for a “hyperactive” season.
The official forecast calls for between 17 and 25 named storms, with between eight and 13 reaching hurricane status. Of those, between four and seven are expected to become major hurricanes, meaning they reach Category 3 strength or greater.
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