The Gulf Coast is bracing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Bertha which formed in the Gulf of Mexico on Monday, July 20, 2026. The storm, previously known as Tropical Depression Two is expected to bring significant rainfall and potential flooding to the region. Forecasters are closely monitoring its slow movement and potential for intensification over the next few days.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Bertha is currently located about 120 miles south of Panama City moving slowly northwestward. The storm is sandwiched between two mid-level ridges, one centered over the Rockies and the other near the Bahamas which could steer it toward the Mississippi River within three days.
Projected Path and Impacts
Alex DaSilva an AccuWeather hurricane expert, stated that Bertha is likely to move into the Florida Panhandle or the Big Bend area bringing flooding rains across portions of the southeastern United States. While the rainfall may be welcome in drought-stricken areas, the risk of flooding is increased due to dry, hard soil that can cause water to run off rather than be absorbed.
As of Monday evening, Bertha had become more organized but had slowed nearly to a stop. Forecasters expect a slow west-northwestward or westward motion over the next few days. The storm is expected to bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Gulf Coast from Alabama westward to southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday night and Wednesday. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for these areas, with a Tropical Storm Watch in place for portions of the Florida PanhandleMetro New Orleans and the southern Gulf Coast of Louisiana.
Potential Hazards
The NHC warned of possible flash flooding through Thursday along the Gulf Coast and adjacent inland locations from western Florida north of Fort Myers to southern Louisiana with isolated instances of flash flooding possible westward into portions of the Texas coast later in the week. The storm is also expected to produce rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated higher totals around 8 inches, which may lead to areas of flash flooding, especially in urban areas.
Dr. Ryan Truchelut of WeatherTiger noted that Bertha is predominantly a rainmaker and not expected to intensify significantly due to northerly shear keeping most of the storm’s convection over water. He forecast periodic rainbands across inland North Florida for the next two days, expanding west into the western Panhandle and eastern Louisiana on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Current Status and Forecast
As of 10 p.m. CT on Monday, July 20, 2026, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located near latitude 28.2 North, longitude 85.9 West. The storm has been meandering and is nearly stationary, with a slow west-northwestward or westward motion expected over the next few days. On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf coast during the next several days.
The storm’s maximum sustained winds are near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Some additional strengthening is possible during the next day or so. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. The minimum central pressure estimated from Hurricane Hunter aircraft observations is 999 mb (29.50 inches).
Preparedness and Warnings
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border in Louisiana. A Storm Surge Watch is also in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the Mouth of the Mississippi River Louisiana. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida westward to the Florida/Alabama border, west of the Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish border to Morgan City Louisiana, and for Metropolitan New OrleansLake Pontchartrain and Lake Maurepas.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case, in the next 24 to 48 hours. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours. A storm surge watch means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours.
The NHC is also keeping an eye on three tropical waves in the Atlantic and Caribbean, but none are expected to significantly impact the current situation with Bertha.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed and prepare for potential impacts, including heavy rainfall, flooding, and strong winds. The atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30, and while Bertha is the second named storm of the 2026 season, it serves as a reminder for coastal residents to always be prepared.