Tropical Storm Beryl: Second Named Storm of 2006 Hurricane Season

Tropical Storm Beryl, the second named storm of 2006 Atlantic hurricane season, formed off the North Carolina coast today and a tropical storm watch was issued for the eastern part of the state. Maximum sustained winds are at least 40 mph according to the National Hurricane Center said. The storm is centered about 180 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras and is moving toward the north at about 6 mph. While the situation can always change - experts are suggesting that the eye may never make landfall and they are not expecting Beryl to reach hurricane strength despite the warm water temperatures.We have made it a lucky seven weeks into this 2006 hurricane season with only two named storms. Compared to this time last year - this is a noticeably slower start to the season. By this time in 2005 - FIVE named storms, including an at one time cat 5 Hurricane Emily - the strongest storm to ever form in the Atlantic before August, had already formed.