Alberto (2012)

A weak low pressure area that formed near a stationary front off the U.S. mid‑Atlantic coast developed into a tropical depression about 140 nautical miles east of Charleston, South Carolina, on 19 May 2012 and became Tropical Storm Alberto later that day. Alberto moved generally southwestward to west‑southwestward just offshore of the South Carolina and Georgia coasts, weakened and then turned southeastward and eastward, and finally accelerated northeastward after 22 May. The system lost sufficient organized convection and became post‑tropical on 22 May and dissipated a few hundred miles north of Bermuda on 23 May. Its life as a tropical cyclone was brief: 19–22 May 2012.

Alberto did not make any landfalls as a tropical cyclone on the U.S. coast. A tropical storm watch was issued on 20 May from the Savannah River to the South Santee River in South Carolina, but the watch was discontinued the same day and no tropical‑storm‑force winds occurred on land in the United States.

The storm’s maximum sustained winds reached 50 knots (about 58 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 995 mb at the time of peak intensity (0000 UTC 20 May). That peak intensity corresponds to a moderate tropical storm (below hurricane strength).

Storm surge and rainfall impacts were minimal for the U.S. coastline. Buoy and ship observations recorded tropical‑storm‑force winds over coastal and offshore waters; for example, buoy 41004 (near 32.5°N, 79.1°W) reported sustained winds of 34 kt with gusts to 43 kt and buoy 41013 recorded sustained 29 kt with gusts to 37 kt. A ship reported a 65‑kt wind near 2000 UTC 19 May, but that single report was judged high compared to satellite and other data. The report does not list significant storm surge heights or heavy rainfall totals for named cities or counties.

There were no reports of damage or casualties associated with Alberto. Regions most affected were offshore marine interests—ships and yachts, including several participating in the Volvo Ocean Race, encountered tropical‑storm‑force winds. Forecasts initially did not anticipate genesis; a Special Tropical Weather Outlook was issued about six hours after the storm’s formation. Overall NHC track and intensity forecasts for Alberto were comparable to or slightly better than recent averages for the small set of forecasts available.