Tropical Storm Bertha, recently known as Tropical Depression Two, has formed in the Gulf of America. Bertha could bring flash flooding and life-threatening storm surge to parts of the northern Gulf Coast. Stay with FOX Weather for the latest.
Tropical Storm Bertha has formed in the eastern Gulf of America and is forecast to bring rounds of heavy rain, gusty winds and minor flooding to parts of the Gulf Coast.
FOX Weather is here to let you know when to expect the worst conditions in your area.
HURRICANE SEASON 2026: THESE ARE THE STORM NAMES YOU’LL SEE THIS SEASON
Currently, Tropical Storm Watches are in effect from the Florida panhandle to southeastern Louisiana as winds, heavy rain and storm surge are expected to intensify while the storm moves across the region.
(FOX Weather)
The growing threat prompted the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to issue a Storm Surge Watch for parts of the Alabama, Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana coasts.
Some areas could receive up to 4 inches of rain in a short period of time, while storm surge could reach as high as 4 feet above normally dry ground in some locations.
TROPICAL STORM BERTHA FORMS, BRINGING DAYS OF RAIN AND STORM SURGE ALONG PARTS OF THE GULF COAST
Here’s a timeline of when Tropical Storm Bertha is expected to arrive in your area and the impacts forecasters expect it to bring.
(FOX Weather)
Tuesday
The day will begin with Bertha located about 100 miles south of Pensacola, Florida.
Despite the storm’s proximity to the coast, much of the northern Gulf Coast will see a mix of sun and clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms moving in from the east.
Those storms could extend as far east as Tampa along the west coast of Florida.
Gusty winds between 25 and 35 mph will develop north and east of Bertha’s center, creating breezy conditions from the Emerald Coast towards Apalachicola, Florida.
(FOX Weather)
By the afternoon, Bertha will begin turning west, with those gusty winds expanding toward Alabama’s coastline.
Scattered showers and thunderstorms capable of producing heavy downpours will continue across northern Florida while spreading into southern Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
Meanwhile, the west side of the storm will remain relatively dry. This includes cities like New Orleans.
(FOX Weather)
Tuesday night
Tropical storm conditions will become possible along the Alabama coast extending east through the Florida panhandle as Bertha is expected to peak in strength.
Wind gusts up to 50 mph will be possible, along with increasing rain chances for cities such as Pensacola, Destin, Panama City Beach and possibly Gulf Shores, Alabama.
HERE ARE THE BUZZWORDS YOU’LL BE HEARING DURING HURRICANE SEASON
Any freshwater flooding is expected to be minor and localized. The greater flood threat will come from storm surge, which could reach up to 4 feet.
(FOX Weather)
Most locations are expected to see 1 to 2 feet of surge. That will be enough to cause areas of minor coastal flooding.
Wednesday
Bertha’s center will likely be approaching the Louisiana or Mississippi coast.
Winds will increase throughout the day in cities including Gulfport, MS and Biloxi, MS, and eventually New Orleans.
HURRICANE SEASON 2026: THESE ARE THE STORM NAMES YOU’LL SEE THIS SEASON
Landfall is expected sometime Wednesday afternoon or night.
(FOX Weather)
Widespread heavy rain is expected to be hard to come by as strong winds aloft continue to displace the rain over the Gulf.
Thursday and beyond
If Bertha survives its interaction with land, the weakened system will continue tracking west toward Texas, where it could produce pockets of rain.
HOW ARE HURRICANES RATED? THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE EXPLAINED
Luckily, it is not expected to cause heavy rainfall in the parts of Texas that are still recovering from last week’s deadly flooding.
