Subtropical Storm Alex Is the First January Storm in Nearly 40 Years

ATLANTA - Subtropical storm Alex has become the first named storm of the 2016 hurricane season and the first January tropical or subtropical storm since 1978.

There is no threat of landfall in the United States or Caribbean as Alex is located in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. The storm is producing winds of 50 miles per hour as it moves northeast at 15 mile per hour. The system is expected to reach the Azores by Friday.

Early season tropical storms are usually considerably weaker because of cooler water temperatures. An early start to the season does not necessarily mean a more active hurricane season for 2016.

According to the National Hurricane Center, Alex is only the fourth known storm to form in January since records began in 1851.

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