Tropical Storm Bertha: Warnings in effect for northern Gulf Coast
The Atlantic's newest tropical storm, Bertha, came to life on Monday in the Gulf of Mexico, threatening Gulf Coast states with flooding rains, storm surge and dangerous swells
The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season started off in an unusually quiet fashion.
But that changed on Monday with the formation of a new tropical storm, which took on the Bertha moniker--the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season.
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The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, flooding, storm surge and dangerous surf to parts of the Gulf Coast states.
Interests in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi should be on alert, and will need to monitor the forecast for updates on its progress in the coming days.
Bertha could bring flooding rains, dangerous surf and storm surge
A tropical storm warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border in Louisiana.
Additionally, a storm surge watch is in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River.
According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), maximum, sustained winds are near 85 km/h with higher gusts. Some slight strengthening is possible later Tuesday, followed by gradual weakening through the middle of this week.
On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf coast during the next several days.
The tropical storm is expected to produce rainfall of 50-100 mm, with isolated, higher totals of 200 mmm, through Friday, along the Gulf Coast and adjacent inland locations from western Florida to the middle Texas coast, including southern portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.
This rainfall may produce areas of flash flooding, especially in urban areas.
Swells generated by Bertha are affecting portions of the Gulf Coast of Florida and are likely to spread westward during the week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
Forecasters predicting a below-average hurricane season
The Atlantic hurricane season has officially started and will continue through the end of November. This year, NOAA is forecasting a below-average hurricane season, with expectations for 8-14 named storms, 3-6 hurricanes, and up to two major hurricanes reaching Category 3 or higher.
El Niño, which has now been officially confirmed, is a key factor in this forecast. El Niño typically reduces tropical cyclone activity in the Atlantic basin due to stronger, upper-level winds that can disrupt storm formation.
Looking ahead, El Niño is projected to strengthen further as the region moves into the winter of 2026-27, potentially influencing global weather patterns beyond this hurricane season.
Stay updated on evolving conditions, and remember, even a small amount of moving water can pose significant dangers.
Thumbnail courtesy of NOAA.