Tropical storm warnings issued as Arthur becomes the first named storm this season

The first named storm system of the season has formed before hurricane season officially kicks off on June 1.

Tropical Storm Arthur has maximum sustained winds of almost 45 mph and sometimes has more powerful gusts, according to an 11 a.m. National Hurricane Center advisory.

There is a tropical storm warning in place from Surf City to Duck, North Carolina, including Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds. Tropical storm conditions are anticipated somewhere in this zone during the coming 24 hour period, the advisory explained.

Wind in excess of 40 mph could hit eastern portions of North Carolina late Sunday or early Monday, and the region could receive between one to three inches of rain from late Sunday through Monday, the Weather Channel reported.

"On the forecast track, Arthur will remain well offshore the east coast of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina today, and then move near or just east of the coast of North Carolina on Monday," the National Hurricane Center predicts. "Arthur is forecast to turn away from the U.S. East Coast on Tuesday."