Tropical storm Bertha nears Texas coast. What to know

Forecasters with the National Weather Service (NWS) say Tropical Storm Bertha is even closer to the Texas coast as of Wednesday, July 22. The Hurricane Hunters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) upgraded it from a Tropical Depression as the system recorded stronger surface winds between 39 and 73 mph. 

Tropical Storm Bertha tracker

As of 7 a.m. Wednesday, Bertha was about 45 miles northeast of the Mississippi River and 60 miles south of Pascagoula, Mississippi. Meteorologists at the NWS's Corpus Christi office say it's continuing on a westward track toward the northern Gulf Coast.

"After clearing west of Louisiana, the system is expected to weaken into a depression as it moves inland of the middle to upper Texas coast, forecasters wrote in a post.

The system is forecast to approach the Texas coast as a tropical depression by late Thursday, July 23, according to the NWS in a post on X.com. Meteorologists at the NWS's San Antonio/Austin office say there is a low-to-medium chance (20% to 50%) that the Coastal Plains could be affected Thursday night through Friday, July 25. The NWS says it does not expect the South-Central region to be affected through Thursday afternoon.

"Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals to 6 inches through Thursday along the central to the western Gulf Coast from western Florida to southern Texas," the National Hurricane Center and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center wrote on its website. "This rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas."

Tropical storm warnings, defined as areas where "tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area within 36 hours," are in effect for parts of Florida and Louisiana, including New Orleans. A tropical storm watch, indicating that tropical storm conditions are possible within the next 24 to 48 hours, is in effect for Sargent, Texas.

Texans are urged to stay up to date on Bertha's movement. Visit MySA's weather page for continued updates. 

CBS Austin meteorologist Avery Tomasco explained in a post on X.com that the system will be "battling dry air intrusion, increasing northeasterly wind shear, and some land interaction with Louisiana once it makes its turn to the west." He expects the bulk of its moisture and rainfall to fall in the southern half of the state.

"It is highly unlikely at this point that Bertha brings a flood threat to Central Texas between Thursday and Saturday," Tomasco said. "You all know how quickly that can change...Please continue to pay attention..."

The NWS's seven-day forecast shows no chance of rain through Tuesday, July 28. A heat risk increases Wednesday through Friday as the region experiences hot and humid conditions.

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