The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued its seventh forecast advisory on Tropical Storm Bertha at 3:00 a.m. UTC on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, placing the storm’s center near coordinates 28.2 degrees north latitude and 85.9 degrees west longitude in the Gulf of Mexico.
At the time of the advisory, Bertha was essentially standing still — listed as stationary — with maximum sustained winds of 35 knots, equivalent to roughly 40 miles per hour, and gusts reaching up to 45 knots. The storm’s minimum central pressure was recorded at 999 millibars. The center’s position was considered accurate within 30 nautical miles.
Looking ahead, forecasters expect Bertha to begin moving and gradually pick up strength. By Tuesday afternoon, winds are projected to reach 40 knots with gusts to 50 knots. The storm is then forecast to intensify slightly to 45 knots — near hurricane threshold — by Wednesday morning and hold that intensity through Wednesday afternoon as it tracks westward.
The National Hurricane Center projects Bertha will move inland sometime around Wednesday night, with the center located near 29.3 degrees north and 89.4 degrees west, placing a potential landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. At that point, maximum winds are expected to be around 40 knots with gusts to 50 knots.
After moving onshore, the storm is expected to weaken. By Thursday morning, winds should drop to around 35 knots, and by Thursday evening the system is forecast to briefly move back over water before continuing to lose strength. Forecasters project winds will fall below tropical storm force — to 30 knots — by early Friday morning.
The extended outlook through the weekend shows continued weakening. By Saturday, July 26, the system is expected to become post-tropical with maximum winds of only 20 knots and gusts to 30 knots.
Forecasters cautioned that track errors on Day 4 average around 125 nautical miles and roughly 175 nautical miles on Day 5, with intensity errors averaging about 15 knots per day in the extended range. Ships within 300 miles of the storm’s center have been asked to submit reports every three hours.
The advisory was issued by forecaster Pasch. The next full advisory was scheduled for 9:00 a.m. UTC Tuesday, with an intermediate public advisory expected at 6:00 a.m. UTC.
