COLUMBIA, S.C. — Subtropical Storm Andrea has formed, the first tropical system in the Atlantic to form in 2019.
The National Hurricane Center issued its first advisory Monday night. The storm has wind speeds of around 40 miles an hour, which is just above the threshold to be considered a tropical storm.
It's presently east of the Bahamas. The computer models are in agreement that the storm is supposed to turn out the sea, and will not affect the United States.
The difference between a "subtropical' and "tropical storm" is just a structural one that scientists use for classification purposes. Their effects on land and sea are exactly the same, and they move in the same pattern.
The storm's formation is a little early, since the official start of the 2019 Atlantic Storm season isn't until June 1, but storms can and do form outside of the season. There have been several over the past few years including: Alberto (May 2018), Arlene (April 2017), Alex (January 2016), Bonnie (May 2016) and Ana (May 2015).
Alberto came ashore in the Gulf of Mexico, and brought rains to South Carolina.
NOAA will issue its 2019 Atlantic hurricane season forecast later this week. In April, Colorado State University hurricane researchers predicted a slightly below-average Atlantic hurricane season.
