Tropical Storm Alberto forms in the Gulf, beach advisories in place for panhandle
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla (WDHN) — National forecasters have issued advisories and statements, alerting residents of the Florida coast to the possibility of severe weather from a newly formed tropical storm in the Gulf.
On Wednesday morning, the National Hurricane Center officially upgraded Potential Tropical Cyclone One into Tropical Storm Alberto, making this the first named storm of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.
Alberto is moving West/Northwest at 8 MPH, producing sustained winds of around 40 MPH.
Despite the storm’s location in the Gulf of Mexico, it is not expected to hit the panhandle directly. Most of the storms will be centered around Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, with only gusty winds and high waves coming to the Florida coast.
Earlier this week, the National Weather Service issued a high surf advisory, small craft advisory, and rip current risk statement.
While the high surf advisory, which warns beachgoers of the possibility of 5-8-foot waves, was only issued for the Pensacola area, the small craft advisory and rip current risk statement were implemented for the Florida panhandle.
The high surf advisory will last until Thursday, June 20, at 7:00 p.m. The small craft advisory will last until Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and the rip current risk statement is expected to expire at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, June 21.
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