Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens off Florida, prompting watches along Gulf Coast

The National Hurricane Center said on Monday night that a tropical depression that formed over the weekend has intensified into Tropical Storm Bertha. At 8 p.m. ET, the storm had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and was moving north at about 3 mph, with its center roughly 110 miles south of Panama City, Florida.

A tropical storm watch is in effect for coastal areas from the Florida panhandle to southeast Louisiana, covering cities such as Panama City, Pensacola, Mobile and Gulfport. Residents in the watch zone could experience strong winds, rain and the possibility of a 1-to-3-foot storm surge, especially between Indian Pass and the Chassahowitzka River. Rough surf may also generate dangerous rip currents.

Forecasters expect Bertha to strengthen gradually over the next few days while tracking parallel to the Gulf Coast, potentially reaching near or south of New Orleans by Wednesday. The system is projected to weaken back to a tropical depression by Thursday and could become post-tropical or dissipate by the end of the week as it approaches Texas.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are likely across the Florida Gulf Coast Monday night, with broader thunderstorm activity shifting toward southern Alabama and Mississippi from Monday evening through Wednesday. Widespread rainfall of 2-4 inches is anticipated along the Gulf Coast through Friday, with isolated amounts up to 8 inches. Tropical storm conditions may affect areas from New Orleans to Houston later in the week.