Extreme Conditions

Season's first tropical storm hits Cuba

(12 June 2006)

Tropical storm Alberto lashed Cuba yesterday, bringing up to 50cm of rain to western parts of the country.

The storm formed off Cuba's western coast with winds reaching up to 45mph (70kph).

Alberto is the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and is expected to move towards Florida.

It is unlikely to gain strength, but forecasters are predicting 10-20cm of rain in the state today.

The US hurricane season began on 1 June and lasts until 30 November.