Watching Tropical Storm Bertha and its impacts across the Gulf Coast

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA (WINK) — Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move across the northeastern Gulf, slowly drifting away from Southwest Florida.

As of the 5 AM National Hurricane Center advisory, Bertha was located about 110 miles south-southwest of Panama City, Florida, and 170 miles southeast of Mobile, Alabama. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, is moving northwest at 5 mph, and has a minimum central pressure of 998 mb.

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for portions of the northern Gulf Coast from the Alabama/Florida border westward into southeastern Louisiana, where tropical storm conditions are expected later today into Wednesday.

A Tropical Storm Watch remains in effect for Metro New Orleans and portions of southeastern Louisiana, where tropical storm conditions are possible. A Storm Surge Watch also remains in effect from the Alabama/Florida border to the mouth of the Mississippi River, where life-threatening storm surge is possible.

For Southwest Florida, Bertha will not bring any direct impacts. However, breezy conditions and larger waves will lead to a heightened risk for rip currents over the next few days. The greatest impacts, including tropical storm-force winds, dangerous storm surge, flash flooding, and a few tornadoes, will remain focused along the central Gulf Coast through Wednesday.

The WINK News Weather Authority will continue to monitor Bertha and provide updates as they come in.