The area of disturbed weather over the northwestern Caribbean, a.k.a. the possibly soon-to-be Tropical Depression 1 or even Tropical Storm Alberto, maintained the status quo overnight:

SURFACE OBSERVATIONS INDICATE THAT A BROAD AREA OF LOW PRESSURE CENTERED ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTH OF CABO SAN ANTONIO AT THE WESTERN END OF CUBA IS MOVING NORTHWARD. THIS SYSTEM HAS CHANGED LITTLE IN ORGANIZATION DURING THE NIGHT. HOWEVER…CONDITIONS APPEAR TO BE FAVORABLE FOR THIS SYSTEM TO BECOME A TROPICAL DEPRESSION OR A TROPICAL STORM DURING THE NEXT 12 TO 24 HOURS. THIS SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO MOVE INTO THE SOUTHEASTERN GULF OF MEXICO LATER TODAY BRINGING SQUALLS AND ADDITIONAL RAINS TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS AND PORTIONS OF CUBA. AN AIR FORCE RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT IS SCHEDULED TO INVESTIGATE THE SYSTEM THIS AFTERNOON…IF NECESSARY.

“The way things look now, it won’t take much to transition this system in to a tropical depression or even a tropical storm. In fact, TS watches and/or warnings may be needed for portions of western Cuba this weekend,” writes Mark Sudduth at Hurricane Track. On the other hand, Charles Fenwick at Eye of the Storm remains skeptical: “My gut remains that any development will be slower and more modest than what the number of visits seem to indicate people are looking for from this.” FLhurricane.com has more.

P.S. The name “proto-Alberto” keeps making me think “Domo Arigato, proto-Alberto…”

P.P.S. Incidentally, my three “hurricane guestbloggers” for the season — Colin Pedicini, Katrina Palmore and Sean Sullivan — are finally set up on the blog, so you may be hearing from them today. (Becky and I are going to Out of Africa for her birthday.) If anyone else would like to be a “hurricane guestblogger” too, helping cover this season’s storms (especially when I’m at work or otherwise occupied), please leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.