Tropical Storm Bertha is now the second named storm for the Atlantic Hurricane Season. The National Hurricane Center announced the storm right at 11 p.m.

Bertha formed east of the southern Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, which is already under a tropical storm watch.

Tropical Storm Bertha Advisory

11 p.m. — Tropical Storm Bertha develops east of the southern Lesser Antilles. Tropical storm warnings and watches issued.

Watches and Warnings

The meteorological service of Barbados has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Barbados and Dominica.

The government of St. Lucia has issued a Tropical Storm Warning for St. Lucia.

A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area...in this case within the next 24 hours.

A tropical storm watch has been issued for:

  • Puerto Rico
  • Vieques
  • Culebra
  • U.S. Virgin Islands.

The meteorological service of Barbados has issued a tropical storm watch for St. Vincent and The Grenadines.

A Tropical Storm Warning could be required for Martinique Friday morning.

A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 24 to 36 hours.

Discussion and 48-hour outlook

At 5 p.m., the center of Tropical Storm Bertha was located near latitude 12.3 north, longitude 55.5 west.

Bertha is moving toward the west-northwest near 20 mph and this general motion is expected to continue for the next couple of days. On the forecast track Bertha is expected to pass near Barbados Friday afternoon and move through the central Lesser Antilles Friday evening.

Reports from an Air Force Reserve reconnaissance aircraft indicate that maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 45 miles from the center.

The estimated minimum central pressure is 1008 mb...29.77 inches.

Hazards affecting land

Wind: tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area by midday Friday...making outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Saturday.

Rainfall: Bertha is expected to produce rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches with isolated amounts up to 5 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands...Puerto Rico...and the Virgin Islands through Saturday night.

Next advisory

Complete advisory: 5 a.m.