User:Psoro/Sandbox/Atl/2012/Alberto

Tropical Storm Alberto was a rare off season tropical storm that affected the East Coast of the United States, primarily the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Alberto was the first tropical cyclone, and first tropical storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season. Due to Alberto's small size and low intensity, it did not inflict damage on land or cause any fatalities.

Meterological History
As a weak low pressure system moved closer to the East Coast of the US, weak thunderstorms began to flare up around the center of circulation while the low was located about 140 nautical miles from Charleston. As the deep convection became better organized, few banding features located North and South of the storm. It is estimated that Alberto became a tropical depression around 0600 UTC on May 19. Within a few hours of the storm first being classified as a tropical depression, the system was upgraded to a tropical storm by the NHC. By 0000 UTC, May 20, Alberto attained peak intensity with winds of 50 kt (57 mph, 92 kmh) and a pressure of 995 mbar (29.38 inHg). The conditions were mostly favorable for further intensification, however there was a dry continental air mass to the storm's west and north. As the storm began to pull in drier air, this hampered most of the potential for any intensification and began to weaken the storm. A mid-level high pressure system to Alberto's west drove the storm Southwestward. At this point the storm was fairly close to the shore of South Carolina and Georgia. The first reconnaissance flight into Alberto confirmed that the storm had weakened to a minimal tropical storm with winds of about 40 kt (46 mph, 74 kmh). On May 22, Alberto began to turn Northward due to a tropospheric trough. And the same day at 1200 UTC, the storm lacked the necessary properties to be classified as a tropical cyclone. As the post-tropical low accelerated, the NHC discontinued issuing advisories on the system at 1800 UTC May 23.

Impact
Tropical Storm Alberto did not cause any damage or fatalities, although the NHC did issue a Tropical Storm Watch for Savanna River to South Santee River, South Carolina. The watch was then discontinued 8 hours after it was issued.