SerpApi.Org
July 22 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Bertha weakened slightly overnight and into Wednesday morning as it moved west along the northern Gulf Coast toward Louisiana, forecasters said.
The storm was located about 75 miles east of the mouth of the Mississippi River in southern Louisiana and about 145 miles west-southwest of Panama City, Fla., the National Hurricane Center said in its 1 a.m. CDT update. The storm was traveling west at 6 mph and had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, a drop of 10 mph since late Tuesday.
There was a tropical storm warning in effect from the Bay/Gulf County line in Florida west to Morgan City, La., metropolitan New Orleans and Lake Pontchartrain. A tropical storm watch was in place from Morgan City, La., west to Cameron, La., and Lake Maurepas. This marked no change from the 4 p.m. CDT update.
"On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next couple of days," the NHC said.
Bertha is forecast to gradually weaken over the next several days and dissipate within 72 hours.
Bertha, which formed Monday night, is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 1 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida into southern Louisiana. This could produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas, the NHC said.
Surf conditions caused by Bertha will continue spreading west along the northern Gulf Coast, with swells likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions
