Tropical Storm Bertha strengthens, threatening Gulf Coast. See forecast map and its path.

Tropical Storm Bertha was threatening the Gulf Coast on Tuesday with heavy rain as its projected path sparked watches and warnings along the coastal region.

Bertha is in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph, up from 50 mph earlier in the day, according to the National Hurricane Center, which said tropical storm conditions were beginning to spread over portions of the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday afternoon. The storm is expected to impact the coasts of western Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana through Thursday.

Map shows projected path

Bertha's strength isn't expected to change much on Tuesday, and the system — which is the second named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season — is forecast to gradually weaken as the week progresses. As of Tuesday evening, it was moving northwest at about 6 mph.

The storm is expected to turn west-northwest Tuesday night, the hurricane center said. The storm is expected to continue with "westward motion forecast Wednesday through Friday. On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next couple of days or so."

Warnings and watches in effect

A tropical storm warning was in effect Tuesday from the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana, as well as for New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain.

A tropical storm watch was posted for west of Morgan City to Cameron, Louisiana, and Lake Maurepas.

A storm surge watch that was in effect earlier for the northern Gulf Coast has been discontinued. 

"Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area along the northern Gulf coast by late today into Wednesday," the hurricane center said. "Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area in Louisiana by Wednesday."

Forecasters warned of rainfall up to 6 inches in some areas. Rain was expected through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast, stretching from western Florida to southern Louisiana, and forecasters warned of possible flash flooding.

The system could also produce storm surge, raising waters up to 4 feet in some locations along the coast.

Bertha comes weeks after the 2026 hurricane season's first named storm, Tropical Storm Arthur, which made landfall in June along the Gulf Coast of Texas.