The Weather Channel / T.S. Alberto coverage

Jim Cantore reporting about T.S. Alberto from the Charleston battery

Satellite image of T.S. Alberto

Tropical Storm Alberto seemed to be off the north coast of South Carolina on Saturday, one day after its formation on Friday May 18. (and just thursday the ocean had been calm enough for fishing) But by Sunday afternoon the first tropical storm of the season had nudged south of Charleston, edging near Savannah. The Weather Channel dispatched veteran storm reporter to Charleston's battery on Sunday to report on the storm conditions, given the fact that the maximum winds had been 60 miles per hour. Despite the findings on Sunday that the storm is weakening (by the hurricane hunter planes), Cantore was glad to speak to me about Alberto and more, since we had been golfing buddies once before at the Hootie Monday after the Masters event. "I take these storms one at a time, and I don't set up any kind of goalposts in May for predictions, and then try and guide the entire season through them," said Cantore. "Eighty-degree water temperature is key for the strengthening of any tropical storm and the Gulf Stream waters are just above that mark, so if Alberto comes into contact with those waters, then it may stoke the fire again. When you think of S.C. today, there has been a lot of development since 1989 and Hurricane Hugo, so their is more risk involved." Cantore also interviewed Mayor Joe Riley on the battery, and Riley told him that Charleston officials were being vigilant about tracking Alberto, but had yet to open any emergency offices. Everyone seemed to agree that Alberto's best attribute was that he brought cool and breezy conditions to the Holy City at a time when the heat is usually building towards summertime levels.

Jim Cantore makes notes about climactic conditions

To view past blog entries about weather click Weather 101 - 2014 Ice Storm - Eisenhower Tree