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Tropical Storm Edouard Moves over Southeast Texas

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Tropical Storm Edouard moved over southeast Texas near Port Arthur on Tuesday afternoon.  At 5:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Edouard was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 94.0°W which put the center about 5 miles (10 km) west of Port Arthur, Texas.  Edouard was moving toward the northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 998 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

The center of Tropical Storm Edouard moved inland near Port Arthur, Texas on Tuesday afternoon.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) at the time of landfall.

Winds to tropical storm force extend out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Tropical Storm Arthur.

Tropical Storm Edouard will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southeast U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Edouard toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Edouard will move inland over southeast Texas.

Tropical Storm Edouard will bring strong winds and heavy rain to parts of southeast Texas.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

A Flood Watch is in effect for parts of southeast Texas.

Tropical Storm Edouard Strengthens

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Tropical Storm Edouard was strengthening on Tuesday morning as it near the northwest Gulf Coast.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Edouard was located at latitude 29.4°N and longitude 93.3°W which put the center about 30 miles (50 km) south of Cameron, Louisiana.  Edouard was moving toward the northwest at 8 m.p.h. (13 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 65 m.p.h. (105 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish Line in Louisiana.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island, Texas to Cameron, Louisiana.

An U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter reconnaissance plane found that Tropical Storm Edouard was strengthening on Tuesday morning.  The inner end of a rainband wrapped around the southern and eastern sides of the center of Edouard’s circulation.  Other bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Storm Edouard.  Storms near the center of Edouard generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Edouard was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Edouard’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Edouard will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next few hours.  Edouard will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Edouard is likely to continue to intensify until it makes landfall in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Edouard will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southeast U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Edouard toward the northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Edouard will make landfall on the northwest Gulf Coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Edouard will make landfall on the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana in a few hours.   Edouard bring strong winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

A Flood Watch is in effect for southeast Texas including the area around Houston.

Tropical Storm Edouard could also cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (2 meters) along a portion of the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana.

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island, Texas to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Edouard Develops South of Louisiana

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Tropical Storm Edouard developed over the northern Gulf of Mexico south of Louisiana on Monday evening.  At 8:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Edouard was located at latitude 28.4°N and longitude 91.6°W which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) southeast of Cameron, Louisiana.  Edouard was moving toward the west-northwest at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (65 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1010 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas to the Vermilion/Iberia Parish Line in Louisiana.

Former Tropical Depression Five strengthened on Monday evening and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Tropical Storm Edouard.

Tropical Storm Edouard was gradually strengthening on Monday evening.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Edouard’s circulation.  Storms near the center of Edouard generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away from the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease slowly.

The circulation around Tropical Storm Edouard was small.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 25 miles (40 km) from the center of Edouard’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Edouard will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Edouard will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm will intensify during the next 18 hours.

Tropical Storm Edouard will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southeast U.S.  The high pressure system will steer Edouard toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Edouard will move toward the northwest Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Edouard will make landfall on the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana on Tuesday.   Edouard bring strong winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

A Flood Watch is in effect for southeast Texas including the area around Houston.

Tropical Storm Edouard could also cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (2 meters) along a portion of the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from High Island, Texas to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Warning Issued for Texas and Louisiana

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A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for a portion of the coast of Texas and Louisiana on Monday morning.  The U.S. National Hurricane Center designated a low pressure system south of Louisiana as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five.

At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Monday the center of Potential Tropical Cyclone Five was located at latitude 27.8°N and longitude 91.0°W which put the center about 130 miles (210 km) south of Morgan City, Louisiana.  The low pressure system was moving toward the west-northwest at 5 m.p.h. (8 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 35 m.p.h. (55 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1013 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Port Bolivar, Texas to the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

More thunderstorms developed in a low pressure system south of Louisiana on Monday morning and the U.S. National Hurricane Center designated the system as Potential Tropical Cyclone Five.  More thunderstorms formed near the center of the low pressure system.  Additional thunderstorms also developed in bands in the southern half of the low pressure system.  Storms near the center of circulation began to generate upper level divergence that started to pumped mass away from the low pressure system.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five will move through an environment favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  The low pressure system will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move through a region where the upper level winds are weak and there will be little vertical wind shear.  Potential Tropical Cyclone Fiver is likely to intensify during the next 24 hours.  The low pressure system is likely to strengthen to Tropical Storm Edouard.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five will move around the southwestern part of a high pressure system that is over the Southeast U.S.  The high pressure system will steer the low pressure system toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Potential Tropical Cyclone Five will move toward the northwest Gulf Coast.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five is likely to make landfall on the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana on Tuesday.  The low pressure system will bring strong winds and locally heavy rain.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.

A Flood Watch is in effect for southeast Texas including the area around Houston.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Five could also cause a storm surge of up to 6 feet (2 meters) along a portion of the coast near the border between Texas and Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha Near Texas/Louisiana Border

The center of Tropical Storm Bertha moved back inland near the border between Texas and Louisiana on Thursday afternoon.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 93.8°W which put the center about 20 miles (30 km) east of Port Arthur, Texas.  Bertha was moving toward the west at 10 m.p.h. (16 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1004 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City, Louisiana to Sargent, Texas.

Tropical Storm Bertha was bringing gusty winds to southern Louisiana and eastern Texas on Thursday afternoon.  However, the strongest winds were in the southeastern part of Bertha’s circulation.  Those winds were occurring over the Gulf of Mexico.

The distribution of wind speeds around Tropical Storm Bertha was very asymmetrical.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 25 miles (40 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

The heaviest rain was falling in thunderstorms located in bands in the southwestern periphery of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Those thunderstorms were over the Gulf of Mexico east of Texas.  Light to moderate rain was falling over southern Louisiana and eastern Texas from showers and a few thunderstorms in bands closer to the low level center of Bertha’s circulation.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the Southern Plains.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha will move inland over eastern and south central Texas.

Tropical Storm Bertha will produce gusty winds over eastern and south central Texas as it moves inland.  Thunderstorms, primarily south of the center of Bertha’s circulation, could produce heavy rain in some locations.  Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some places.

Tropical Storm Bertha Moves Across Southeast Louisiana

Tropical Storm Bertha moved across southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha’ was located at latitude 29.4°N and longitude 91.1°W which put the center about 75 miles (120 km) southwest of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Bertha was moving toward the west-southwest at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1002 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mississippi/Alabama border to Sargent, Texas.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for New Orleans.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Lake Pontchartrain.

Strong northeasterly winds in the upper levels of the atmosphere appeared to be blowing the middle and upper parts of Tropical Storm Bertha to the southwest of the surface circulation.  The center of the surface circulation was south-southeast of Morgan City, Louisiana.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the southwestern part of the surface circulation around Tropical Storm Bertha.  Bands in the other parts of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  It is possible that a new center of circulation could develop closer to the area of showers and thunderstorms.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Those winds were occurring over the Gulf of Mexico.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 160 miles (260 km) in the southern side of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force only extended out 60 miles (95 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 18 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce strong northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those upper level winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Bertha is likely to continue to weaken during the next 18 hours unless a new center of circulation forms near the thunderstorms over the Gulf of Mexico.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha will move over eastern Texas south of Galveston on Thursday evening.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the northwestern Gulf Coast.  Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Louisiana and eastern Texas.

Tropical Storm Bertha Weakens

Tropical Storm Bertha weakened on Wednesday morning as it moved toward southeastern Louisiana.  At 2:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.9°N and longitude 89.1°W which put the center about 60 miles (95 km) east of New Orleans, Louisiana.  Bertha was moving toward the west-northwest at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 45 m.p.h. (75 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 1000 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Alabama/Florida border to Morgan City, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for New Orleans.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Lake Pontchartrain.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lake Maurepas.   A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City to Sargent, Texas.

Tropical Storm Bertha weakened on Wednesday morning because of strong northeasterly winds in the upper troposphere.  Those winds were causing strong vertical wind shear, and the wind shear was causing Bertha to weaken.  The vertical wind shear was also affecting the structure of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Most of the bands revolving around the center of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the far southwestern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  There were no thunderstorms near the center of Bertha to generate upper level divergence.  Convergence of mass in the lower atmosphere was causing the surface pressure to increase.

Tropical Storm Berta was still producing sustained winds to tropical storm force.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 105 miles (165 km) in the eastern side of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce strong northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation. Those upper level winds will continue to cause strong vertical wind shear.  Tropical Storm Bertha will continue to weaken during he next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha will move over southeastern Louisiana in a few hours.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Since the strongest winds are in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation, those winds will remain over the Gulf of Mexico during the next 24 hours.  Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana. Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha Moves West

Tropical Storm Bertha was moving toward the west over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday evening.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.4°N and longitude 87.7°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) south-southeast of Mobile, Alabama.   Bertha was moving toward the west at 6 m.p.h. (10 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Bay County/Gulf County Line in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for New Orleans.  A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect Lake Pontchartrain.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Lake Maurepas.   A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from Morgan City to Cameron, Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha was maintaining its intensity on Tuesday evening in spite of strong northeasterly winds in the upper troposphere.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear, but the wind shear was not strong enough to cause Bertha to weaken.  The vertical wind shear was affecting the structure of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Bands in the northern half of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass in the upper levels was equal to the convergence of mass in the lower levels of the atmosphere.  So, the surface pressure was remaining constant on Tuesday evening.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Bertha. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) in the eastern side of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the western side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move into an environment that will become unfavorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those upper level winds are forecast to get stronger on Wednesday.  Those stronger winds will cause the vertical wind shear to increase.  Tropical Storm Bertha could maintain its intensity during the next few hours.  Bertha is likely to weaken when the vertical wind shear increases.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha toward the west during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha will reach southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Since the strongest winds are in the southeastern part of Bertha’s circulation, those winds will remain over the Gulf of Mexico during the next 24 hours.  Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of Northwest Florida, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha Intensifies

Tropical Storm Bertha intensified over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday morning.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Tuesday the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located at latitude 29.3°N and longitude 86.3°W which put the center about 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Pensacola, Florida.  Bertha was moving toward the north-northwest at 3 m.p.h. (5 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 60 m.p.h. (95 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 995 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Bay County/Gulf County Line in Florida to the Terrebone Parish/Lafourche Parish Line in Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for New Orleans.  Tropical Storm Watches are in effect for Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Terrebonne Parish/Lafourche Parish Line to the Vermilion Parish/Cameron Parish Line in Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha intensified on Tuesday morning in spite of strong northeasterly winds in the upper troposphere.  Those winds were causing moderate vertical wind shear, but the wind shear was not strong enough to prevent intensification  The vertical wind shear did affect the structure of Bertha’s circulation.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Bands in the northern half of Bertha’s circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southeastern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 90 miles (145 km) in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be marginally favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear. The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bertha could intensify a little more during the next 24 hours.  However,if the northeasterly winds in the upper levels get any stronger, then Bertha will start to weaken.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bertha will move slowly toward southeastern Louisiana.

Tropical Storm Bertha will bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Since the strongest winds are in the southeastern part of Bertha’s circulation, those winds will remain over the Gulf of Mexico during the next 24 hours.  Bands on the northern side of Tropical Storm Bertha could drop locally heavy rain over parts of Northwest Florida, southern Alabama, southern Mississippi, and southern Louisiana.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast of southeastern Louisiana.

Depression Strengthens to Tropical Storm Bertha

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Bertha over the northern Gulf of Mexico on Monday evening.  A Tropical Storm Warning was issued for a portion of the central Gulf Coast.  At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Monday the center of Tropical Storm Berth was located at latitude 28.2°N and longitude 8593°W which put the center about 140 miles (225 km) south of Panama City, Florida.  Bertha was stationary.  The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 999 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning was in effect for the portion of the coast from border between Florida and Alabama to the border between Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes in Louisiana.

A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for New Orleans.  Tropical Storm Watches were in effect for Lake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between Gulf County and Bay County in Florida to the border with Alabama.  A Tropical Storm Watch was in effect for the portion of the coast from the border between Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes to Morgan City, Louisiana.

Former Tropical Depression Two strengthened to Tropical Storm Bertha on Monday evening.  Reconnaissance planes found winds to tropical storm force in the southern part of Bertha’s circulation.

The distribution of thunderstorms was asymmetrical in Tropical Storm Bertha.  Thunderstorms were occurring in bands in the southern half of Bertha’s circulation.  Bands in the northern half of Tropical Storm Bertha consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.  Storms near the center of Bertha generated upper level divergence that pumped mass away to the south and west of the tropical storm.  The removal of mass caused the surface pressure to decrease on Monday.

The strongest winds were occurring in the southern part of Tropical Storm Bertha.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 70 miles (110 km) in the southern half of Bertha’s circulation.  The winds in the northern half of Tropical Storm Bertha were blowing at less than tropical storm force.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move through an environment that will be somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 24 hours.  Bertha will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C.  It will move under southeastern part of an upper level ridge that is centered over the South Central U.S.  The upper level ridge will produce northeasterly winds that will blow across the top of Bertha’s circulation.  Those winds will cause moderate vertical wind shear.  The vertical wind shear will inhibit intensification, but the wind shear may not be strong enough to prevent intensification.  Tropical Storm Bertha could intensify gradually during the next 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Bertha will move around the southern side of a high pressure system that is over the southern Mississippi River Valley.  The high pressure system will steer Bertha slowly toward the west-northwest during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Storm Bertha will move slowly toward the central Gulf Coast.

Tropical Storm Bertha could bring gusty winds to the central Gulf Coast.  Bertha could also cause a storm surge of up to 4 feet (1 meter) along parts of the coast.

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from border between Alabama and Florida to the Mouth of the Mississippi River.