WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Tropical Storm Bertha continues its slow approach toward the northern Gulf Coast Tuesday, moving away from South Florida but prompting tropical storm warnings across portions of the Florida Panhandle, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
As of the 2 p.m. National Hurricane Center advisory Tuesday, Bertha was located about 90 miles southwest of Panama City, Florida, and 125 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. The storm has strengthened throughout the morning and now sustained of 60 mph as it churns northwest at 5 mph.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
Tropical storm conditions are expected along the northern Gulf Coast by late Tuesday into Wednesday. The Florida Panhandle could see tropical storm conditions later Tuesday, while Louisiana may experience these conditions by late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
Bertha is forecast to dump 2-4 inches of rain across the Gulf Coast through Thursday, with isolated areas potentially receiving up to 6 inches. This includes western Florida into southern Louisiana, and southern portions of Alabama and Mississippi.
The storm is expected to maintain its slow northwestward to west-northwestward motion Tuesday, followed by a turn westward by mid-week. Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast over the next several days. Some slight strengthening is possible later Tuesday, but gradual weakening is expected through the middle of the week.
While South Florida remains well outside Bertha's direct impact zone, dangerous swells generated by the storm are already affecting Florida's Gulf Coast and will likely spread westward throughout the week, creating life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
For the latest tropical weather updates and local impacts to South Florida, stay with WPTV.com and the WPTV First Alert Weather team.
**Portions of this story were assisted by artificial intelligence tools and reviewed by a WPTV journalist to ensure accuracy, clarity, and adherence to editorial standards.
