May 19, 2012 Noon Update

**Edited on May 20 to correct a minor mistake**

4:15 PM: South of the cutoff low currently developing near the southern Mid Atlantic that has been mentioned for the last few days, another low pressure has increased in organization and intensity, and is now Tropical Storm Alberto, making this the first tropical cyclone of the Atlantic hurricane season, forming 13 days before the official start to the hurricane season and making this the first named Atlantic tropical cyclone in May since Tropical Storm Arthur in 2008.

As of the latest data, Alberto is a 45 mph tropical storm with a minimum pressure of 1007 mb located southeast of South Carolina. Alberto is expected to slowly drift NNE/northeast, moving towards eastern North Carolina, before moving NNE from there and staying mostly offshore. The formation of Alberto has little impact on the forecast for the NYC area, as Alberto is still expected to stay mostly offshore, with scattered shower activity on Monday and Tuesday, locally heavy in the eastern parts of the area. Stay tuned for a more detailed update on Alberto with this evening's discussion.