At 800 AM EDT (1200 UTC), the center of Subtropical Storm Alberto was located near latitude 26.3 North, longitude 84.4 West. The storm is moving toward the north near 15 mph (24 km/h). A turn toward the north-northwest at a slower forward speed is forecast tonight. A north-northwestward to northward motion is expected Tuesday through early Wednesday. On the forecast track, the center of Alberto will cross the eastern and northern Gulf of Mexico today and approach the northern Gulf Coast in the warning area tonight or Monday. Heavy rainfall and tropical storm conditions will likely reach the northern Gulf Coast well before the arrival of the center of Alberto. Alberto is expected to move northward into the Tennessee Valley on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 45 mph (75 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual strengthening is forecast until the system reaches the northern Gulf Coast. Steady weakening is expected after Alberto makes landfall, and it is forecast to become a tropical depression by Monday night or Tuesday.
Winds of 40 mph extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km) mainly to the east of the center.
...SLIGHTLY STRONGER ALBERTO MOVING A LITTLE FASTER NORTHWARD OVER THE EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO...
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:
A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for...
* Crystal River to the Mississippi/Alabama border
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* Dry Tortugas
* Bonita Beach to the Mississippi/Alabama border
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Mississippi/Alabama border to the Mouth of the Pearl River