The storm named Alberto is on the move and looks to make an impact on our weather right here in Maryland by the end of the workweek. Alberto made landfall Memorial Day evening near Laguna Beach, Florida. The storm lashed the coast with winds upwards of 65 mph, heavy rain, and storm surge which led to beach erosion. The storm then moved north toward Alabama Tuesday morning weakening to a subtropical depression with heavy rain leading to flash flooding concerns along with a few isolated tornadoes. As of the latest advisory at 5pm Tuesday the storm was continuing north into the Tennessee River Valley. The core of Alberto was about 100 miles south southeast of Nashville still sitting at subtropical depression status. By Wednesday the storm will be up toward Chicago and on Thursday into Canada.
So your probably thinking Alberto is way west of our area how can it impact us?
Well the tropical moisture that we are feeling outside right now in the "Air That You Can Wear" well it's aided by Alberto.
You combine that moisture with a stalled front to our south and a little sunshine to get the perfect ignition point for more tropical rainfall. Once again any rainfall that we do see will likely cause us problems since the ground is just so saturated. Tropical air and limited wind to move storms in the upper levels will aid in additional flooding concerns.
Right now it looks as if Thursday will be the best day for widespread rain coverage. Slow moving showers and thunderstorms will pop up across the area with very heavy rainfall. Coverage will decrease a bit as we get into Thursday but will still remain with the front nearby. Tropical air and chances for storms remain through Monday though until a ridge returns dry times to the area. Models right now estimating a good 1-3" of rain during this time frame with locally heavier amounts.
Over the next few days since rain is in the forecast think about some of these tips. Remember your surroundings and know where to go when a flash flood warning is issued. With flash flooding, the rivers aren't our biggest concern, it's valleys, poor drainage zone, and urban areas. Flash flooding can occur anywhere even if you don't remember it ever flooding at your location, doesn't mean it can't. Most of all when a warning is issued it's time to act and to seek higher ground.
