Wind, Surge Watches Issued as Subtropical Storm Alberto Threatens Mexico, Cuba, Florida

Subtropical storm Alberto is moving slowly and erratically over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to strengthen gradually over the next 48 hours as it heads to the Gulf of Mexico, the United States National Hurricane Center (NHC) said in its latest advisory Friday.

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The storm is located about 100 miles (160 km) south-southeast of Cozumel, Mexico, packing maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph), forecasters have said.

"Heavy rainfall expected to affect the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast through the weekend," NHC said, adding "Alberto is forecast to slow down after it moves inland."

Alberto is the first named tropical weather system of the 2018 hurricane season. A subtropical storm 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 storm is expected to reach U.S. Gulf Coast Monday and bring heavy rain to the Yucatan Peninsula, western Cuba, Florida and the northeastern Gulf Coast throughout the weekend.