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Tropical Storm Bertha maintained its strength as conditions around the Florida Panhandle start to worsen, according to the National Hurricane Center's 1 p.m. update.
Surf at Pensacola Beach has started to rise, kicking up waves currently measured between 5 and 7 feet, according to NOAA data. The Pensacola International Airport has measured winds up to 32 mph.
Bertha's maximum sustained wind speeds remained at 60 mph, just 14 mph away from those of a Category 1 hurricane. It is expected to create dangerous beach conditions on Tuesday and could bring periods of heavy rain to the area through Wednesday.
The Florida Panhandle, from Escambia to Gulf counties, is under a tropical storm warning as tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within the area within the next 36 hours, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Pensacola is expected to see winds between 39 and 57 mph, though it says potential impacts are "limited."
A rip current statement is in effect until 6 a.m. on July 24, a high surf warning will go into effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday until 6 a.m. on July 23 and a coastal flood advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Here is what Pensacola area residents should know about Tropical Storm Bertha and potential impacts.
Tropical Storm Bertha impacts on Pensacola
Tropical Storm Bertha is still making its approach to Pensacola, but it doesn’t seem poised to have any major impact from the storm, which will remain largely offshore.
The National Hurricane Center says that tropical storm conditions will be possible in the watch area in the Florida Panhandle later on Tuesday.
Residents can expect increasing chances of showers and thunderstorms starting late Tuesday morning. The area will continue to see a chance of showers through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
The area is expected to receive between 2 and 4 inches of rain over the course of the week, but any local downpours are expected to be isolated.
Widespread flooding isn’t likely, according to the NWS, but it says localized urban flooding and ponding on roads remain possible, particularly near the coast.
Bands of rain swirling around the north side of Bertha were approaching the northern Gulf coast at sunrise July 21. "These will move onshore today, with greatest coverage expected to remain south of Highway 84 as Bertha moves west-northwest," according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to arrive in Northwest Florida this afternoon (July 21) and coastal Alabama late this evening, with gusty winds in outer rainbands, the National Weather Service Mobile posted on X.
Winds could be between 39 and 57 mph across coastal portions of Northwest Florida. Tornadoes aren't expected, however.
Dangerous beach conditions are still the primary threat. The NWS urges beachgoers to stay out of the water while the high rip current risk and high surf warning remain in effect.
Dangerously large breaking waves of 8 to 11 feet are expected in the surf zone, which can sweep people off jetties and docks and into dangerous seas.
Escambia, Santa Rosa counties under tropical storm warning
The National Weather Service upgraded its tropical storm watch to a warning over Escambia and Santa Rosa counties at 10:21 a.m.
Wind
- Latest local forecast: Tropical storm force winds remain possible - Peak Wind Forecast: 15-25 mph with gusts to 40 mph
- Threat to life and property: Potential for wind 39 to 57 mph - The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- Plan: Plan for hazardous wind of equivalent tropical storm force.
- Prepare: Efforts to protect property should now be underway. Prepare for limited wind damage.
- Act: Act now to complete preparations before the wind becomes hazardous.
- Potential impacts: Limited
- Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
- Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
- A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
- Scattered power and communications outages.
Storm surge
- Latest local forecast: Localized storm surge possible
- Peak Storm Surge Inundation: The potential for up to 2 feet above ground somewhere within surge prone areas
- Window of concern: Wednesday morning until Thursday morning
- Threat to life and property: Potential for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground
- The storm surge threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- Plan: Plan for storm surge flooding greater than 1 foot above ground.
- Prepare: Complete preparations for storm surge flooding, especially in low-lying vulnerable areas, before conditions become unsafe.
- Act: Leave immediately if evacuation orders are given for your area.
- Potential impacts: Limited
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
Flooding Rain
- Latest local forecast:
- Peak Rainfall Amounts: Additional 1-3 inches, with locally higher amounts -
- Threat to life and property: Potential for localized flooding rain
- Prepare: Consider protective actions if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
- The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- Plan: Emergency plans should include the potential for localized flooding from heavy rain.
- Act: Heed any flood watches and warnings.
- Potential impacts: Limited
- Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
- Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots.
- Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge closures.
Tornado
- Latest local forecast: - Situation is unfavorable for tornadoes
- Threat to life and property: Tornadoes not expected
- The tornado threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
- Plan: Tornadoes are not expected. Showers and thunderstorms with gusty winds may still occur.
- Prepare: Little to no preparations needed to protect against tornadoes at this time. Keep informed of the latest tornado situation.
- Act: Listen for changes in the forecast.
- Potential impacts: Little to None
- Little to no potential impacts from tornadoes.
When can Florida expect to feel impacts from Tropical Storm Bertha?
Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Florida Panhandle later today, July 21, the National Hurricane Center said.
Where is Tropical Storm Bertha?
At 7 p.m. CT, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located near latitude 29.3 North, longitude 87.4 West. Bertha is moving toward the west near 6 mph (9 km/h) and a west-northwestward or westward motion is expected Wednesday through Friday. On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next couple of days.
Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected tonight, and gradual weakening is forecast Wednesday through Friday. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km) from the center. A wind gust to 43 mph (69 km/h) was recently reported at Pensacola Beach, Florida.
The minimum central pressure reported by Air Force Reserve and NOAA Hurricane Hunter aircraft is 997 mb (29.44 inches).
- Location: About 120 miles west-southwest of Panama City, 105 miles south-southeast of Mobile, Alabama
- Maximum sustained winds: 60 mph
- Present movement: Northwest at 6 mph
Florida weather radar for July 21, 2026
Tropical storm warnings, watches
- Tropical Storm Warning:
- Bay/Gulf County Line in Florida to Morgan City, Louisiana
- Metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain
- Tropical Storm Watch:
- West of Morgan City, Louisiana, to Cameron, Louisiana
- Lake Maurepas
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
Forecast path for Tropical Storm Bertha
Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Bertha
Tropical Storm Bertha hazards
Wind: Tropical storm conditions will continue spreading across portions of the northern Gulf Coast within the warning area tonight through Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area in Louisiana by Wednesday night.
Storm surge: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the immediate coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide:
- Mouth of the Mississippi River, Louisiana to AL/FL Border: 2-4 ft
- Cameron, LA to mouth of the Mississippi River, LA: 1 to 3 ft
- MS/AL Border to AL/FL Border: 1 to 3 ft
- Lake Pontchartrain: 1 to 3 ft
The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.
Rainfall: Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals around 6 inches through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida into southern Louisiana. This rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas.
Surf: Swells generated by Bertha will continue spreading westward along the northern Gulf Coast during the next few days. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Please consult products from your local weather office.
Contributing: Cheryl McCloud – USA TODAY Florida
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Waves build at Pensacola Beach as Bertha inches closer. Local impacts
