{"id":350811,"date":"2026-07-24T05:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T05:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/350811\/"},"modified":"2026-07-24T05:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T05:29:17","slug":"tropical-storm-bertha-weakens-to-a-tropical-depression-no-threat-to-south-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/350811\/","title":{"rendered":"Tropical Storm Bertha weakens to a tropical depression; No threat to South Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tropical Storm Bertha has weakened to a tropical depression after moving inland along the northern Gulf Coast, marking the beginning of the end for the Atlantic season’s second named storm.<\/p>\n

\"Tropical<\/p>\n

Tropical Track 8 PM.(WPEC)<\/p>\n

While Bertha no longer has tropical storm-force winds, the system continues to produce widespread rain, gusty winds, and the threat of flash flooding across portions of the Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Valley.<\/p>\n

\"Tropical<\/p>\n

The good news for South Florida is that Bertha has never posed a threat to Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast, or the CBS12 viewing area.<\/p>\n

Why did Bertha weaken?<\/p>\n

Tropical systems survive by drawing energy from very warm ocean water. As long as a storm remains over water with sea surface temperatures around 80 degrees or warmer, it can maintain or even increase its strength. Once Bertha moved inland, it lost its fuel source. Land also creates friction that disrupts a storm’s circulation. Without warm, moist air rising from the Gulf of Mexico, Bertha’s thunderstorms began to weaken, causing sustained winds to fall below 39 mph\u2014the threshold for tropical storm status. At that point, the National Hurricane Center downgraded Bertha to a tropical depression.<\/p>\n

Heavy Rain Remains the Biggest Threat<\/p>\n

Even though Bertha has weakened, residents along its path are still dealing with dangerous weather. The storm is expected to produce several inches of rainfall, with isolated higher amounts possible. That raises the risk of:<\/p>\n

Flash floodingFlooded roadwaysRapid rises on small streams and creeksPoor visibility during periods of heavy rain<\/p>\n

As is often the case with weakening tropical systems, flooding rainfall can become a greater hazard than the wind itself.<\/p>\n

Gusty Winds Still Possible<\/p>\n

Although Bertha is no longer a tropical storm, occasional gusty winds remain possible near the center of circulation. Those winds could still bring down small tree limbs, produce isolated power outages, and make travel difficult during heavier rain bands. Fortunately, the threat of widespread damaging winds has diminished significantly since the storm moved inland.<\/p>\n

Could Bertha Still Regain Strength?<\/p>\n

No. Now that the center of circulation is well inland, Bertha is expected to continue weakening over the next day or two. Forecasters expect the depression to eventually lose its tropical characteristics before dissipating completely over the southern United States.<\/p>\n

No Impact for South Florida<\/p>\n

Throughout its life cycle, forecast models consistently kept Bertha on a path toward the northern Gulf Coast. Because of that track, South Florida remained well outside the cone of uncertainty, and no tropical watches or warnings were ever issued for Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast, or South Florida. Our weather will continue to follow the familiar summertime pattern, with hot and humid conditions giving way to scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms.<\/p>\n

We’re Just Getting Started\"Hurricane<\/p>\n

Hurricane Season – Tropical Activity.(WPEC)<\/p>\n

While Bertha is weakening, hurricane season is far from over. The Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30, with activity typically increasing dramatically during August. Historically, the season reaches its peak around September 10, when ocean temperatures are at their warmest and atmospheric conditions become more favorable for tropical development. Bertha serves as another reminder that even relatively weak tropical systems can produce dangerous flooding and travel disruptions.\"2026<\/p>\n

2026 Hurricane Names.(WPEC)<\/p>\n

The CBS12 Weather Team will continue monitoring every tropical wave, depression, and storm throughout the season and provide you with timely updates both on-air and online. Stay with CBS12 News, CBS12.com, and the CBS12 Weather App for the latest tropical updates all hurricane season long.<\/p>\n

Tropical Storm Bertha has weakened and is now a tropical depression as it continues moving inland across the Gulf Coast.<\/p>\n

\"Tropical<\/p>\n

Tropical Track 8 PM.(WPEC)<\/p>\n

\"Tropical<\/p>\n

The National Hurricane Center says Bertha lost strength after moving over land, where it was cut off from the warm Gulf waters that fuel tropical systems. While the storm’s strongest winds have diminished, the system will continue to produce heavy rainfall and the potential for localized flooding as it tracks farther inland.<\/p>\n

Why did Bertha weaken?<\/p>\n

Tropical cyclones rely on warm ocean water as their energy source. Once Bertha made landfall, it quickly began to weaken as increased friction from land and the loss of warm, moist air caused the circulation to lose organization. Although the winds have decreased below tropical storm strength, the storm’s moisture remains intact, meaning heavy rain will continue to be the primary concern.<\/p>\n

Flooding Rain Still Possible<\/p>\n

Even as a tropical depression, Bertha is capable of producing several inches of rainfall across portions of the central Gulf Coast and lower Mississippi Valley. Localized flash flooding remains possible, especially in low-lying and poor drainage areas. Gusty winds are still possible near the center of the depression, but widespread damaging winds are no longer expected.<\/p>\n

No Impact Expected for South Florida<\/p>\n

The good news for the CBS12 viewing area is that Bertha will have no impact on Palm Beach County, the Treasure Coast, or the rest of South Florida. The system’s track has remained well to our northwest, and our weather will continue to be driven by the typical summertime pattern of heat, humidity, and scattered afternoon thunderstorms.<\/p>\n

Hurricane Season Continues\"Hurricane<\/p>\n

Hurricane Season – Tropical Activity.(WPEC)<\/p>\n

While Bertha is winding down, the Atlantic hurricane season is just beginning to ramp up. Historically, the most active part of the season occurs from mid-August through October, with the climatological peak falling around September 10.<\/p>\n

The CBS12 Weather Team will continue to monitor the tropics around the clock and provide updates on any systems that could eventually pose a threat to Florida. Stay with CBS12 News, CBS12.com, and the CBS12 Weather App for the latest tropical updates throughout hurricane season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tropical Storm Bertha has weakened to a tropical depression after moving inland along the northern Gulf Coast, marking…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":350812,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":["post-350811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-florida","tag-florida","tag-florida-headlines","tag-florida-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=350811"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/350811\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/350812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=350811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=350811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=350811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}