Category:Hurricane Alberto

The first storm of the 2012 atlantic hurricane season, Alberto developed from the tail end of a frontal low off the east coast of Florida. On June 17, the system developed an area of low pressure and an evident spin on radar images. It became better organized on the 18th, but shear kept it from strengthening into a tropical storm or depression. Early on the 19th, the front detached completely from the system and it gained enough strength from the Gulf Stream for the NHC to begin advisories on Tropical Depression One. On that same day it became Tropical Storm Alberto and began moving to the North-east at 9 mph. Because of warmer than normal sea surface temperatures, Alberto strengthened into a hurricane late on June 20th, and the next day reached peak strength of 90 mph. As Alberto approached Bermuda, hurricane watches and warnings were put into effect as it was possible for a direct hit on the island. On the 22nd Alberto weakened into a tropical storm and picked up forward speed. It brushed by Bermuda, with maximum sustained winds reaching 40 mph on the island. Minimal damage was reported and only 0.68" of rain fell. One death was reported when a man became impaled by a falling tree. Alberto continued weakening and late on the 23rd the NHC stopped issuing advisories on Alberto as the storm became elongated. Early on the 24th Alberto was completely absorbed by a larger non-tropical system.