Tropical storm Bertha continues to race westward across the Atlantic. The cyclone’s maximum sustained winds are holding steady at 50 mph with higher gusts. Bertha is over warmer waters, and conditions are conducive for strengthening. She is expected to become a full-blown hurricane within 72 hours.
Forecast models vary wildly, but a weakness in the ridge to the north could steer the storm on a more northwestern track. It is still too early to tell if Bertha will ever threaten any land areas, but the graphics provided by the National Hurricane Center illustrate the coastal areas that could be affected by this storm.
Tropical storm force winds currently extend 85 miles from the center of the storm with 13 foot seas. The wind field and high seas will expand as the cyclone strengthens.
Check out the Tropical Wind Speed Probabilities graphics from the National Hurricane Center: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/203412.shtml?tswind120#contents