Subtropical Storm Alberto is forecast to strengthen as it moves through the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said in its 10 a.m. Saturday advisory.
As of the 1 p.m. intermediate update, Alberto is moving north at 13 miles per hour after the center reformed in the southeastern Gulf. Maximum winds remained at 40 miles per hour and most of the shower activity remains separated from the center, a characteristic of a subtropical system.
While southeast Louisiana is now outside of the forecast cone, a tropical storm watch remains in place that includes metro New Orleans and now also includes more of the Florida panhandle.
A storm surge watch starts at the mouth of the Mississippi and extends east towards Florida.
Alberto could begin to slow down Sunday, which offers an opportunity for strengthening and becoming a true tropical storm. NHC forecasters say winds could reach 65 miles per hour, making Alberto a strong tropical storm approaching the Gulf Coast Monday night before quickly weakening after landfall sometime on Tuesday.