Alberto makes landfall, rough waters and quick showers expected for Memorial Day
TAMPA (FOX 13) - Subtropical Storm Alberto made landfall in Laguna Beach in the Florida panhandle Monday, and even though it's moving away, its lingering moisture and wind bands will impact Tampa Bay for the next several days.
Fast-moving showers were expected during the afternoon or evening on Memorial Day, explained FOX 13's meteorologist Dave Osterberg. With the leftover tropical moisture from Alberto, the atmosphere becomes unstable after the sun rises, and warms the area, causing some showers. It will also mean a similar forecast for the next several days.
"It's not going to rain all day," Osterberg said. "The sun is going to come out, and you're going to be all happy and excited. You're going to run outside and another scattered shower is going to come through. That's kind of the way today is going to be -- but not a washout."
FORECAST: Track Alberto on MyFoxHurricane.com
Subtropical Storm Alberto's gusty rain and brisk winds roiled the seas off the U.S. Gulf Coast on Monday, keeping white sandy beaches emptied of their usual Memorial Day crowds.
Forecasters warned of life-threatening surf conditions as Alberto approached the Florida Panhandle, where it was expected to make landfall later in the day. A few brief tornadoes were possible in much of Florida and parts of Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama. But forecasters said flash flooding from heavy rain was the biggest risk in many areas.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami said in the 5 p.m. advisory that Alberto made landfall near Laguna Beach, Florida, and was moving north at 9 miles per hour with sustained winds near 45 miles an hour with higher gusts.
Tropical Storm Warnings were in effect along the northern Gulf coast.
As for Tampa Bay, rough waters will remain be an issue through Tuesday, and the NHC is warning of a high risk of rip currents for the area. Red flags along the beach are expected to be up on Monday. Swimming is allowed, but Clearwater officials are asking people to remain cautious when entering the water.
Clearwater fire officials say "it’s always wise to swim near the watchful eye of city’s lifeguards.”
“The big message is we don’t want to give a false sense of security,” said Patrick Brafford, Clearwater's Beach Safety supervisor. “Once you get strong currents, heavy surf, or a combination of both, then you elevate the threat level and then we go to a red flag.”
A subtropical storm like Alberto 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.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.