Tropical Storm Alberto forms off S.C. CHARLESTON, S.C., May 19 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Alberto, the first tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed Saturday off the coast of South Carolina, forecasters said. The National Weather Service said Alberto, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and higher gusts, was about 140 miles east-southeast of Charleston, S.C., and about 118 miles south of Cape Fear, N.C. Tropical storm-force winds extended up to 45 miles from the center. The storm was moving southwest at 3 mph and was expected to continue moving southwest through Sunday before turning toward the west-northwest, then toward the east and northeast by Monday. No coastal warnings or watches were in effect. The NWS said a tropical storm watch may be needed Saturday night for portions of the coast of the Carolinas.