The first named storm of this year's hurricane season is forming. Tropical storm Alberto is being tracked by the National Hurricane Center.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for the Gulf Coast of F
Meanwhile, a tropical storm watch is in effect from south of E
Bonita Beach.
On Monday morning, the center of tropical storm Alberto was located about 240 miles south-southwest of Aapalachicola, Fla. and about 295 miles southwest of Cedar Key, Fla.
Alberto is moving toward the north-northeast near 8 miles per hour and a turn to the northeast is expected over the next 24 hours, according to the Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds are near 50 miles per hour with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours. An Air Force Reserve unit hurricane hunter aircraft is approaching the center of Alberto.
Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles the northeast and southeast of the center. The large extent of tropical storm force winds means that these winds will be felt along the coast well in advance of the arrival of the center.
Coastal storm surge flooding of 6 to 8 feet above normal tide levels can be expected over a large portion of the warning area, the center warns.
Storm total rainfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts to 10 inches are possible through Tuesday across portions of central and northern Florida and southeastern Georgia, mainly along and to the right of the track of Alberto.
Isolated tornadoes are possible over west-central and northwestern Florida Monday night.