( CNN ) -- Tropical Storm Alberto , the first named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season , formed Saturday off the coast of South Carolina . Forecasters predict fewer hurricanes this year . As of 5 p.m. , the storm was located about 140 miles east-southeast of Charleston , South Carolina , with maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour , the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said . It was churning southwest at 3 mph . No coastal watches or warning were in effect , though a tropical storm watch could be issued for parts of the coast later Saturday , the Hurricane Center said . Is there severe weather near you ? Share your photos and videos on iReport ( but stay safe ) Despite being over the warm waters of the Gulf Stream , Alberto is not expected to intensify much over the next couple of days . That is due , in part , to the presence of a cool and dry air mass to the north and west of the tropical storm , said CNN meteorologist Sean Morris . The forecast track shows Alberto moving slowly toward the south-southwest over the next day or so and then accelerating rapidly toward the northeast , away from the U.S. coast on Monday . This year marks the first time in recorded history that a tropical storm has formed in both the east Pacific basin and Atlantic basin before the official start of hurricane season , the Hurricane Center said . The Pacific storm was called Aletta . The Atlantic hurricane season officially begins on June 1 .
NEW : It is not expected to intensify much over the next few days . Alberto is the first named storm of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season . Comment: