 A well @-@ developed tropical wave was observed in satellite imagery over central Africa on July 30 . The system tracked westward and emerged into the Atlantic Ocean on August 3 . Thereafter , the system rapidly organized , and developed into Tropical Depression Three at 1800 UTC that day . The depression moved west @-@ northwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Alberto early on August 4 . While briefly turning westward on August 6 , Alberto reached hurricane status . It tracked west @-@ northwestward , and by early the following day , the storm reached an initial peak with winds of 90 mph ( 150 km / h ) . Shortly thereafter , Alberto re @-@ curved northwestward . Wind shear then increased , which caused Alberto to weaken to a tropical storm on August 9 . However , it quickly re @-@ strengthened , and early on August 10 , Alberto was upgraded to a hurricane again . Due to a break in a subtropical ridge , Alberto gradually curved northward and north @-@ northeastward between August 11 and August 12 . While turning northeastward , Alberto strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane , becoming the first major hurricane of the season . By 1200 UTC on August 12 , Alberto attained its peak intensity with winds of 125 mph ( 205 km / h ) . 
