Subtropical Storm Alberto moved farther into the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday as tropical storm warnings went up for part of the Gulf Coast and heavy rainfall spread northward over the Florida peninsula.
Forecasters again adjusted the forecast track slightly to the east on Saturday night while stressing that Alberto's worst effects could be felt far from where its center makes landfall.
The hurricane center also adjusted the timeline again, suggesting landfall in northwest Florida could come on Monday evening instead of early Tuesday morning.
After landfall Alberto is forecast to move slightly to the northwest, which could bring the center of the weakening system through Alabama.
A tropical storm warning is in effect for the northern Gulf Coast from the Aucilla River westward to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
A tropical storm warning is in place for the west coast of the Florida peninsula from Bonita Beach to the Anclote River.
A tropical storm warning also continued for the Dry Tortugas in the Florida Keys.
Storm surge watches were also in effect from Florida's Crystal River to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
Alberto could get a bit stronger before landfall, though it is not expected to become a hurricane.
As of 10 p.m. CDT Saturday Alberto was located about 400 miles south of Apalachicola, Fla., and was moving north-northeast at 13 mph.
Forecasters said that Alberto's center reformed a little to the northeast on Saturday night.
The storm is forecast to turn toward the north later tonight, and a track to the north-northwest is expected Sunday through Monday night.
The hurricane center thinks Alberto should move generally northward for the next 12 hours, "although some additional eastward reformation of the center remains possible," forecasters said.
Alberto is forecast to make landfall somewhere along the northern Gulf Coast by Monday. However, heavy rain and tropical storm conditions will likely reach the northern Gulf Coast well before the arrival of the center of Alberto, according to the hurricane center.
Forecasters stressed not to focus solely on the exact point of landfall because many of the storm's affects will be felt far away from that point. Alberto is a not a fully tropical storm and much of its worst weather is displaced from its center on its east side.
Alberto was still a minimal tropical storm as of Saturday night with winds of 40 mph. The hurricane center said gradual strengthening will be possible until landfall.
Forecasters had noted on Friday that Alberto had the potential to become a hurricane but dialed that back on Saturday, saying models were trending away from that scenario.
Instead Alberto could be a stronger tropical storm near the time of landfall with sustained winds up to 65 mph.
Storm surge flooding along the coast could reach 2-4 feet from Alberto, according to the hurricane center.
Forecasters were also very concerned about the rainfall potential with Alberto.
Forecasters in Alabama were getting prepared for a "multitude of impacts" from Alberto.
Up to a foot of rain will be possible for areas near the coast in Alabama and northwest Florida, where many are vacationing for the Memorial Day weekend.
The National Weather Service has expanded flash flood watches for south Alabama and said the rain last through Tuesday.
The weather service said storm surge could also last into Tuesday. However the maximum water rise looks to be on Sunday night into Monday night.
There is a high risk of rip currents in place this weekend as well as high surf and coastal flooding advisories.
The weather service is particularly concerned about rip currents, which are south Alabama's deadliest weather hazard.
Forecasters stressed that the water will be dangerous for all levels of swimmers through Tuesday.
The weather service said tropical storm force winds will likely impact coastal Alabama and northwest Florida late Sunday into Monday.
Forecasters will also be monitoring the potential for severe storms and tornadoes, which could become an issue as Alberto moves closer to the coast on Sunday and Monday.