Tropical Storm Bertha continues to drift across the Gulf.
As of 11 p.m. Monday, the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was about 140 miles southeast of Panama City, Florida.
Surface observations and data from the Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters indicate that maximum sustained winds neared 40 mph with higher gusts.
The minimum central pressure based on surface observations is 999 mb.
Tropical Storm Bertha is now stationary.
A slow northwestward motion is expected through tonight, followed by a turn toward the west-northwest or west. On the forecast track, the depression will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next several days.
The system could bring tropical storm conditions to portions of the Florida Panhandle, where a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect.
A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for the coasts of Mississippi and Louisiana from the Mississippi/Alabama border to the Jefferson/Plaquemines parish border.
Aside from isolated showers and storms early this week due to the wind flow around the system pushing tropical moisture over us, additional impacts are not expected for our area.
This is due to the system’s westerly movement, which will keep the highest rainfall totals across the Panhandle and northern Gulf Coast.