MIAMI — A storm moving slowly through the Gulf of Mexico is threatening to bring heavy rainfall, storm surges, high winds, and flash floods to the U.S. Gulf Coast this holiday weekend.

Subtropical Storm Alberto – the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season – roiled parts of coastal Mexico and Cuba with rip currents and dangerous surf before plodding northward Saturday.

Cuba maintained its tropical storm watch for the province of Pinar del Rio, while Mexico cancelled its watch for the resort-dotted coast of the Yucatan peninsula, where the storm brought heavy rain. There were no immediate reports of emergencies. In Cancun, local newspapers showed scenes of some streets flooded to mid-hubcap level.

In the U.S., a storm surge watch – meaning the possibility of life-threatening inundations from rising coastal waters moving inland – was issued for a stretch of coastline between Horseshoe Beach, Florida, and the mouth of the Mississippi River.

“The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,” the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Isolated tornadoes could erupt over the Florida Keys or southwestern Florida late Saturday.

Forecasters at the National Weather Service warned residents along coastal Alabama and Mississippi as well as the Florida Panhandle to brace for heavy rain and high winds. Isolated tornadoes were also possible. The NWS said a flash flood watch would be in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday evening for southeastern Mississippi, much of southern Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle.

“This system will bring excessive rainfall to the watch area beginning Saturday evening and continuing through Tuesday evening. Rainfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches, and possibly locally up to double these amounts are possible in this area with this event,” the NWS said.

At 8 a.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto was centered about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of the western tip of Cuba and moving north at 9 mph (15 kph). Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). A gradual strengthening was expected as the storm moves north.

A subtropical storm has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm, and its strongest winds are found farther from its center. Subtropical storms can develop into tropical storms, which in turn can strengthen into hurricanes. Alberto comes ahead of schedule: the six-month hurricane season doesn’t begin until June 1.

Parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have already seen heavy rain this week, and further deluges could leave those areas vulnerable to flash flooding and river flooding. Some beachfront and riverfront communities are already handing out sandbags.

The downpours could dampen Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer tourist season along Gulf beaches. Along with heavy rains and high winds come rough seas and a threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana that can sweep swimmers out to sea.</s>The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Centre said on Thursday it expects the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season will be near-normal to above-normal in number and intensity of storms. The NOAA forecast also said about half of the 10 to 16 named storms will be hurricane strength with winds of at least 74 mph (119 kph). An average Atlantic hurricane season produces 12 named storms of which six become hurricanes, three of them major. Private forecaster Weatherbell Analytics earlier this month revised downward its forecast for named storms in 2018 from between 11 and 15 to nine to 13.

A system was brewing in the southern Gulf on Thursday that has a 70 per cent chance of becoming a tropical cyclone, the US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) said. It is expected to bring heavy rain to the southeast United States early next week and could become the first named storm of the year as Alberto. The news comes after the NHC said a storm depression off the coast of Mexico has a 70 per cent chance of forming by the weekend. The Miami branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s NHC issued a special tropical weather outlook for the North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The special notice warns a front of low pressure has formed over the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and threatens to push north towards Florida.

Forecasters fear the front has an 80 per cent chance of deteriorating into a subtropical or tropical depression this weekend. There is an additional 40 per cent chance this could happen over the next 48 hours. Tropical depressions form when areas of low pressure start churning away at speeds of up to 39mph. If the depression picks up speed and organised winds over 39mph, forecasters will upgrade it to a full-blown tropical cyclone. The NHC warned: “A broad, stationary surface low-pressure system centred over the southeastern Yucatan Peninsula is gradually becoming better defined.

"Although showers and thunderstorms, along with strong gusty winds, are confined primarily to the adjacent waters of the northwestern Caribbean Sea, gradual development of this system is expected during the next couple of days as it drifts northward near the Yucatan Peninsula. "Environmental conditions are forecast to become more conducive for development through early next week, and a subtropical or tropical depression is likely to form by late Saturday over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. "Regardless of development, locally heavy rainfall is forecast across western Cuba and over much of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast into early next week. "In addition, the threat of rip currents will steadily increase along the Gulf coast from Florida westward to Louisiana over Memorial Day weekend.”</s>There’s a 90 percent chance a subtropical or tropical cyclone will form in the central or eastern Gulf of Mexico this weekend, the National Hurricane Center said. The main threat for Florida is heavy rainfall, tornadoes and rip currents, the National Hurricane Center said.

The National Hurricane Center reports that the tropical disturbance over the Yucatan Peninsula is gradually becoming better defined and now has a higher chance of development, CBS Miami reports.

Whether or not the disturbance develops into something more, South Florida will likely see a lot of rain and wind over the next few days.

Because this broad surface low-pressure system is battling some high wind shear and interacting with land, most of the convection associated with this system is to the east of the center.

As this disturbance lifts to the north into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend, and environmental conditions become more favorable for development, there is a 90 percent chance this system could develop into a tropical or sub-tropical depression sometime this weekend in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.

The European model has forecast rainfall totals ranging from 2 to 4 inches through Monday. The GFS model is forecasting rainfall totals ranging from 4 to 8 inches through Monday. The track will determine how much rain we will see.

Even if the center tracks to our west, we will be on the east side, or the dirty side, of the system and heavy downpours and flooding will be possible.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday released its forecast for the 2018 hurricane season, predicting 10 to 16 named storms, with five to nine hurricanes. One to four hurricanes could be “major” with sustained winds of at least 111 mph.

If that forecast holds, it would make for a near-normal or above-normal season. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes.</s>Subtropical storm Alberto became the first tropical weather system of the 2018 hurricane season Friday and may bring heavy rain to Florida, the Gulf Coast, Cuba and the Yucatan Peninsula.

Alberto sustained winds of 40 mph and was located 55 miles south of Cozumel, Mexico. The storm was moving toward the north-northeast at about 6 mph. officials said.

A subtropical storm has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm and its strongest winds aren’t located in its center. For Alberto to turn into a tropical storm, its top sustained winds would have to gust consistently at 39 mph, but no more than 73 mph.

A LOOK INTO THE 2018 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON

The National Hurricane Center’s announcement came a day after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said that the Atlantic hurricane season was expected to be “close to normal.”

The NOAA said in its forecast that the possibility of a weak El Niño developing, along with near-average sea-surface temperatures across the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, will make conditions a little more difficult for storm development than last year.

NOAA forecasters are calling for 10 to 16 named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher, of which 5 to 9 will strengthen into hurricanes. Of those storms, there will be 1 to 4 major hurricanes, which are classified as Category 3, 4, and 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher.

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which 6 become hurricanes, including 3 major hurricanes, according to NOAA.

Fox News’ Travis Fedschun and the Associated Press contributed to this report</s>Subtropical Storm Alberto moved Sunday morning toward the southeastern Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.

Alberto is moving northward at 9 mph with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph as of the 8 a.m. advisory, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm is about 120 miles east-northeast of Cozumel, Mexico, and approximately 70 miles south of the western tip of Cuba.

Heavy rain is expected to affected western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf coast throughout the weekend, the National Hurricane Center said.

“On the forecast track, the center of Alberto is expected to move through the Yucatan Channel today and track across the Gulf of Mexico Saturday night through Monday,” the National Hurricane Center said.

A storm surge watch is in effect from Horseshoe Beach, Fla. to the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.

A tropical storm watch is in effect from Tulum, Mexico to Cabo Catoche, Mexico, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Indian Pass, Fla. to Grand Isle, La., Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Maurepas, and the Yucatan Peninsula, according to the National Hurricane Center.</s>It’ll feel summery the next several days, with very warm temps and sticky dew points.

There won’t be any complaints about chilly weather this Memorial Day weekend!

Friday afternoon highs will top 90 degrees in much of southern and central Minnesota, with some 80s in the far north. There could be a few spots along the north shore of Lake Superior that only reach the 70s.

Sunday will also be very warm:

The Twin Cities metro area could reach the mid 90s on Sunday.

Highs in the lower 90s are expected in the south on Memorial Day, with mostly 80s central and north:

Scattered showers and thunderstorms will linger over parts of southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin this Friday morning.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible anywhere in Minnesota and western Wisconsin later this afternoon and this evening. In the Twin Cities metro area, our shower and thunderstorm chance is anytime from about mid-afternoon through this Friday evening.

The Storm Prediction Center of the National Weather Service shows a slight risk of severe weather today and tonight in southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin:

From southwestern Minnesota through the metro area and northeastern Minnesota, there is a marginal risk of severe weather, meaning that an isolated severe thunderstorm is possible:

The main severe weather threats this afternoon and evening will be damaging winds and large hail.

Updated weather information can be heard on the Minnesota Public Radio Network, and updates are also posted on the MPR news live weather blog.

Saturday and Sunday should be rain-free over most of Minnesota, but there’s a chance of a shower/isolated thunderstorm in northeastern Minnesota Saturday afternoon and evening.

The weather is a bit unsettled on Memorial Day, with a chance of a shower/isolated thunderstorm anywhere in Minnesota.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Global Forecast System model shows the potential precipitation pattern on Monday:

The coverage is probably overdone a bit, but the color chart to the right of the loop refers to the precipitation rate (mm per hour), not to the total amount of rain.

National Hurricane Center forecasters are watching a low pressure system near the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico:

They estimate that it has a 90% chance of becoming a tropical cyclone within the next 48 hours.

Heavy rains are expected over the southeastern U.S. this weekend into early next week.

The National Hurricane Center notes that we now have subtropical storm Alberto:

…PRE-SEASON SUBTROPICAL STORM ALBERTO FORMS OVER THE NORTHWESTERN

 CARIBBEAN SEA…

 …HEAVY RAINFALL EXPECTED TO AFFECT THE YUCATAN PENINSULA…WESTERN

 CUBA…FLORIDA…AND THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST THROUGH THE

 WEEKEND… SUMMARY OF 1000 AM CDT…1500 UTC…INFORMATION

 ———————————————–

 LOCATION…19.7N 86.8W

 ABOUT 55 MI…90 KM S OF COZUMEL MEXICO

 ABOUT 195 MI…315 KM SW OF THE WESTERN TIP OF CUBA

 MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…40 MPH…65 KM/H

 PRESENT MOVEMENT…NNE OR 20 DEGREES AT 6 MPH…9 KM/H

 MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…1005 MB…29.68 INCHES WATCHES AND WARNINGS

 ——————–

 CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY: The Government of Mexico has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the

 east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula from Tulum to Cabo Catoche. The Government of Cuba has issued a Tropical Storm Watch for the

 western Cuban province of Pinar del Rio. SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT: A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…

 * Tulum to Cabo Catoche Mexico

 * Cuban province of Pinar del Rio A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are

 possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 24

 hours. Interests along the central and eastern U.S. Gulf Coast should

 monitor the progress of Alberto. Tropical storm and storm surge

 watches could be required for portions of this area later today or

 tonight. For storm information specific to your area, please monitor

 products issued by your national meteorological service. DISCUSSION AND OUTLOOK

 ———————-

 At 1000 AM CDT (1500 UTC), the center of Subtropical Storm Alberto

 was located near latitude 19.7 North, longitude 86.8 West. The storm

 is moving toward the north-northeast near 6 mph (9 km/h). A general

 slow motion toward the north is expected through the weekend,

 followed by a northwest turn by Monday. On the foreast track,

 Alberto is expected to pass near the eastern coast of the Yucatan

 peninsula tonight, be near the western tip of Cuba Saturday morning,

 emerge over the southeastern Gulf of Mexico by Saturday night, and

 approach the north-central Gulf Coast on Monday. Maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts.

 Gradual strengthening is forecast for the next 72 hours. Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the

 center. HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

 ———————-

 RAINFALL: Alberto is expected to produce total rain accumulations

 of 10 to 15 inches with isolated totals of 25 inches across the

 northeastern portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba.

 These rains could produce life-threatening flash floods and

 mudslides. Rainfall accmumulations of 4 to 8 inches with maximum

 amounts of 12 inches are possible across the Florida Keys and

 southern and southwestern Florida. Heavy rain will likely begin

 to affect the central Gulf Coast region and the southeastern Untied

 States later this weekend and continue into early next week.

 Flooding potential will increase across this region early next

 week as Alberto is forecast to slow down after it moves inland. WIND: Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch

 area through Saturday. SURF: Swells generated by Alberto are affecting portions of

 the coast of eastern Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. These

 swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current

 conditions. Hazardous surf conditions are likely to develop along

 much of the central and eastern U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend. For

 more information, consult products from your local weather office.

You can hear my live weather updates on Minnesota Public Radio at 7:49 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and at 7:35 a.m., 9:35 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.</s>Subtropical Storm Alberto is the first named tropical weather system of the 2018 hurricane season, the National Hurricane Center said in an advisory Friday. The storm was moving toward the Gulf of Mexico at 6 mph late Friday morning.

Alberto had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph as of 11 a.m. ET. It was located 55 miles south of Cozumel, Mexico, and 195 miles southwest of Cuba.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain to the central Gulf Coast region and the southeastern United States this weekend and into next week, the weather service said. It is expected to produce 10 to 15 inches of rain across the northeastern region of the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba with isolated areas seeing as much as 25 inches of rain. The Florida Keys and southern areas of Florida could expect rainfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, possibly as much as 12 inches.

The potential for flooding will increase early next week, the weather service said, adding that the rainfall could produce life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

Surf swells are expected are expected across the western areas of Cuba and the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The waves produced by the swells could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. The weekend forecast warns of hazardous and possible life-threatening surf conditions along central and eastern U.S. Gulf Coast.

The Mexican government has issued a tropical storm watch for the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast, and the Cuban government has issued a tropical storm watch for Pinar del Rio.

The storm was officially announced a day after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2018 hurricane season forecast release. Thursday night, NOAA tweeted there was a “high chance (90%)” of a subtropical or tropical cyclone forming this weekend. The announcement of Subtropical Storm Alberto came Friday morning just before 11:00 a.m. EDT .

The hurricane center defines the term as a “subtropical cyclone” in which the maximum sustained wind speed — using the U.S. one-minute average — is 39 mph or higher. Subtropical storms have cooler centers than tropical storms, but they can eventually develop into tropical storms and then into hurricanes.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible for the area and time frame described. At the most recent information available from NOAA, the Cuban province of Pinar del Rio and areas of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche should monitor Alberto for the next 24 hours.</s>Alberto it is: First named tropical system chugs toward Gulf

MIAMI (AP) — A storm moving slowly through the Caribbean Sea is threatening to bring heavy rainfall, mudslides, and flash floods to parts of Mexico, Cuba, Florida and the U.S. Gulf Coast this weekend.

Subtropical Storm Alberto — the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season — was roiling parts of coastal Mexico and Cuba with rip currents and dangerous surf on Friday. Both countries issued tropical storm watches for portions of their coastlines, with rain totals in some isolated areas of up to 25 inches.

U.S. forecasters followed suit by issuing a tropical storm watch for parts of the Gulf Coast from the Florida Panhandle southwest of Tallahassee to the New Orleans metropolitan area.

At 11 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said Alberto was centered about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). A gradual strengthening was expected through the weekend as it moves north.

The U.S. was expected to start feeling Alberto's effects Saturday. The hurricane center said up to 12 inches of rain was possible across the Florida Keys and southern and southwestern Florida. Residents in the storm's expected path were advised to monitor the storm's progress.

"Flooding potential will increase across this region early next week as Alberto is forecast to slow down after it moves inland," the hurricane center said.

The National Weather Service said a flash flood watch would be in effect from Saturday evening through Tuesday evening for southeastern Mississippi, southwestern Alabama, and the western Florida Panhandle. A storm surge watch was also issued for parts of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

A subtropical storm has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm, and its strongest winds are found farther from its center. Subtropical storms can develop into tropical storms, which in turn can strengthen into hurricanes. Alberto comes ahead of schedule: the six-month hurricane season doesn't begin until June 1.

Parts of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana have already seen heavy rain this week, and further deluges could leave those areas vulnerable to flash flooding and river flooding. Some beachfront and riverfront communities are already handing out sandbags.

The downpours could dampen Memorial Day, the unofficial start of the summer tourist season along Gulf beaches. Along with heavy rains and high winds come rough seas and a threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana that can sweep swimmers out to sea.

Red flags warning of dangerous surf conditions are already flying along some beaches. Jordan Sawmiller of Ohio tells WALA-TV that he was approaching the water with caution in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

"It will hit you pretty hard . and it sucks you right back out. So, I don't like getting in there very far," Sawmiller said.

A hotel owner in Panama City Beach, Florida, tells the Panama City News Herald that her family's five hotels are normally full on Memorial Day weekend. But Julie Hilton said people are cancelling because of the weather and room reservations are down about 20 percent.

Heavy rain could also be bad news for farmers. Georgia Peanut Commission Chairman and farmer Armond Morris and Tyron Spearman with the National Peanut Buying Points Association inspected a south Georgia peanut field Thursday. They told WALB-TV that farmers are worried about already-soaked young plants.

"Just hopeful that all the peanut stands will be OK, but we may have to replant some peanuts," said Morris.

Only 65 percent of the 2018 Georgia peanut crop has been planted.

"The crop is not growing as well as it should be," said University of Georgia Tifton peanut agronomist Scott Monfort. "So we are getting some cases of yellow peanuts just not growing."</s>A general view shows an empty beach as subtropical storm Alberto approaches Cancun, Mexico May 25, 2018. REUTERS/Israel Leal

(Reuters) - Subtropical storm Alberto is moving slowly and erratically over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen gradually over the next 48 hours as it heads to the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory on Friday.

The storm is located about 100 miles (160 km) south-south east of Cozumel, Mexico, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph), the Miami-based weather forecaster said.

"Heavy rainfall expected to affect the Yucatan peninsula, western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast through the weekend," NHC said, adding "Alberto is forecast to slow down after it moves inland."

It is expected to reach U.S. Gulf Coast on Monday</s>MIAMI (AP) — The Latest on Subtropical Storm Alberto (all times local):

Tropical storm and storm surge watches have been issued for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast as Subtropical Storm Alberto slowly moves eastward.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday that the tropical storm watch has been issued from Indian Pass, Florida, westward to Grand Isle, Louisiana along a swath that also includes parts of Alabama and Mississippi. The storm surge watch was issued for a stretch from Horseshoe Beach, Florida, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical storm watches are also in effect for parts of Mexico and Cuba. Heavy rains are expected in portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba.

As of Friday evening, the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season was centered about 110 miles (177 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). It's expected to continue moving north through the Gulf over the weekend, with gradual strengthening.

Tropical storm and storm surge watches have been issued for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast as Subtropical Storm Alberto slowly moves eastward.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday that the tropical storm watch has been issued from Indian Pass, Florida, westward to Grand Isle, Louisiana along a swath that also includes parts of Alabama and Mississippi. The storm surge watch was issued for a stretch from Horseshoe Beach, Florida, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical storm watches are also in effect for parts of Mexico and Cuba. Heavy rains are expected in portions of the Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba.

As of Friday evening, the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season was centered about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). It's expected to continue moving north through the Gulf over the weekend, with gradual strengthening.

Forecasters have issued tropical storm and storm surge watches for parts of the U.S. Gulf Coast as Subtropical Storm Alberto approaches.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Friday afternoon that the tropical storm watch has been issued from Indian Pass, Florida, westward to Grand Isle, Louisiana along a swath that also includes parts of Alabama and Mississippi. The storm surge watch was issued for a stretch from Horseshoe Beach, Florida, to the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Tropical storm watches are also in effect for parts of Mexico and Cuba.

As of Friday evening, the first named storm of the 2018 hurricane season was centered about 100 miles (161 kilometers) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico.

Its top sustained winds were 40 mph (65 kph). It's expected to continue moving north through the Gulf over the weekend, with gradual strengthening.

The first named tropical weather system of the 2018 hurricane season has formed. The National Hurricane Center says a disturbance moving toward the Gulf of Mexico is now Subtropical Storm Alberto.

Alberto had top sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) early Friday and was located 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of Cozumel, Mexico. The storm was moving north-northeast at 6 mph (9 kph). The storm is expected to bring heavy rain to the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast throughout the weekend.

A subtropical storm has a less defined and cooler center than a tropical storm, and its strongest winds are found farther from its center. Subtropical storms can develop into tropical storms, which in turn can strengthen into hurricanes.

Forecasters say a tropical weather system moving toward the Gulf of Mexico is strengthening.

The National Hurricane Center said Friday that a low pressure system in the northwestern Caribbean Sea has become better defined overnight and could be a tropical depression or storm by Saturday.

They put chances of formation at 90 percent over the next two days.

The system sits east of the Yucatan Peninsula but moving northward. Forecasters say heavy rains are likely across western Cuba, much of Florida and the northern Gulf Coast into early next week.

Portions of the northern Gulf Coast are likely to experience tropical storm force winds and storm surge.

There's also a strong threat of rip currents from Florida to Louisiana.

An Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft is scheduled to investigate.
Subtropical Storm Alberto becomes the first named storm of the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season. It formed at the western Caribbean Sea and is expected to move north of the Gulf of Mexico later in the weekend.