Eye on the Tropics

Alberto: Rain chances reduced as subtropical storm moves west

Torrential rainfall and flooding are no longer in the forecast for Central Florida as Subtropical Storm Alberto tracks toward Panama City, according to WFTV meteorologist George Waldenberger.

The flood watch for Central Florida has been canceled as drier air moves into Central Florida moves into the area, limiting the chance for widespread heavy rain tonight through Monday morning.

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The drier air has wrapped in around Alberto, now headed toward the Florida Panhandle, with an anticipated landfall Monday near or west of Panama City.

Scattered showers moved across parts of the area Sunday, with rain winding down by evening. More rain is expected on Memorial Day, mainly during the afternoon.

The rain chance for Memorial Day has significantly reduced since Alberto has tracked further west away from mainland Florida.

Alberto is forecast to make landfall in northwest Florida Monday.

For Central Florida, the Monday weather pattern will be back to a normal summer day, with hotter temperatures and scattered storms developing in the afternoon.

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Alberto latest

Subtropical Storm Alberto continues to move north, north west with no change in strength. It is expected to make landfall near Panama City sometime Monday. 

The Tropical Storm Warning along the west coast of Florida south of the Anclote River has ended, according to the National Hurricane Center

The Storm Surge Warning for the northern Gulf Coast of west of Navarre, Florida has ended. 

The storm is being called -- and appears on satellite imagery to be -- subtropical, which means the storm does not yet have a full warm core.

Alberto is likely to strengthen as winds increase and as the storm becomes more dependent on warm water below it.

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Alberto’s Threats
The main threat for Central Florida was predicted to be high rainfall, but the total amount of rain forecast has since reduced. The National Weather Service projects that Central Florida will not likely see more than an inch of rain for the rest of the weekend. Flood watches for Central Florida were rescinded Sunday afternoon. 
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Even after Alberto makes landfall, the main circulation will continue to pull moisture from the tropics right over Florida. The showers will linger through the middle of this week, gradually decreasing by Friday.