Storms Can Form Outside of Hurricane Season: Subtropical Storm Ana Becomes 2015’s First Atlantic System

South Carolina and North Carolina look like they will take the main impacts of Ana. The National Hurricane Center reported today that the storm is moving towards the coast bringing high winds, flooding, life-threatening surf conditions, and heavy rain.

Perched at 32.4N 77.6W, about 100 miles southeast of Myrtle Beach as of the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center’s morning update. Winds around 60 mph, but higher gusts will be far reaching with this storm. It is expected that Ana will turn north or northwest and have a slight increase in speed. Looks like it will bad weather for many in South Carolina and North Carolina this Mother’s Day weekend as Ana turns to a tropical storm.

Property Casualty 360° alerted me by email with details about Ana:

The atmosphere surrounding Ana isn’t very moist, so the storm won’t produce a lot of rain, said James Franklin, branch chief of the center’s Hurricane Specialist Unit.

Ana is the earliest such a system formed in the Atlantic since April 2003, Franklin said in a conference call with reporters. The official start of the six-month Atlantic season is June 1.

The earliest storm on record fitting the criteria of a named system was on Jan. 3, 1938, Franklin said. The earliest subtropical storm to form in any year was in January 1978.

From 1966 to 2009, the first named storm usually occurred by July 9, according to the center.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for…
* South Santee River to Surf City

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for…
* Edisto Beach South Carolina to South of South Santee River
* North of Surf City to Cape Lookout North Carolina

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours.

A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case also within 36 hours.

Interests elsewhere in eastern North Carolina should monitor the progress of Ana.

For storm information specific to your area, including possible inland watches and warnings, please monitor products issued by your local National Weather Service forecast office.