Tropical Storm Arthur nears North Carolina

Tropical Storm Arthur formed Saturday night off the east coast of Florida, becoming the first named storm of the 2020 hurricane season.

A tropical storm warning has been issued for most of the North Carolina coast, a region that juts into the Atlantic and receives an outsized share of hits from tropical storms and hurricanes. At 5 p.m.

Sunday, the storm was 275 miles south-southwest of Cape Hatteras, N.C., moving north-northeast at 9 mph.

The storm, which took shape 16 days before the season’s official June 1 start date, was producing winds of 45 mph as it held to a track that could threaten North Carolina, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 p.m. Sunday update.

“On the forecast track,

Arthur will remain well offshore the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina today, and then move near or just east of the coast of North Carolina on Monday,” the hurricane center said in its public advisory. “Arthur is forecast to turn away from the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday.”

The storm is expected to lose “tropical characteristics” on Tuesday, according to the advisory.

Arthur formed from a broad cluster of clouds around an area of low pressure that drifted through the Florida Straits, subjecting South Florida to a day of rainy, windy weather Friday before heading up the coast.

This will be the sixth year in a row to see a named storm form before the official June 1 start of hurricane season, a trend that has led to discussions on whether the season’s start date should be moved into May.

Virtually all early estimates for this hurricane season predict an above-average number of storms, due to unusually warm ocean temperatures and global climate factors that are likely to reduce the high-altitude winds that can prevent the formation of hurricanes.

An average season produces seven hurricanes. The Weather Company predicts nine, with four reaching major hurricane strength with wind speeds of at least 111 mph. Colorado State University predicts eight, including four major ones. AccuWeather predicts seven to 11, with four to six reaching major strength.

The official forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be released Thursday.

LYNNE SLADKY/AP Arthur is likely to stay well offshore Florida. Above, a bicyclist with a cloudy Miami skyline in the background Friday.