Tropical Storm Ana Bears Down On Carolinas

The first US tropical storm of the year is bearing down on the coast of the Carolinas, weeks before hurricane season even begins.

The storm is forecast to reach North and South Carolina late Saturday local time and early Sunday, Mother's Day in the US.

Despite packing winds of up to 60mph (96km), Ana is not expected to reach hurricane strength.

However it will drench parts of those states with up to five inches (13cm) of rain until Monday, said the National Hurricane Centre.

The system may also bring dangerous surf, rip currents and some flooding at high tide.

Swells of one to two feet are forecast for Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, as well as parts of South Carolina.

A tropical storm warning has been extended from south Santee River, South Carolina, to Cape Lookout, North Carolina.

Hurricane season begins on 1 June, but earlier storms are not uncommon, according to the National Hurricane Centre.

There have been 23 cyclones in the month of May since records began in 1851.

Ana is the earliest subtropical or tropical storm to form in the Atlantic since another storm named Ana emerged in 2003.