Tropical Storm Bertha, which was never a strong tropical storm in the first place, is making its last gasps as one over Texas now, with the center of circulation over Liberty County north and east of Galveston. Much of the storm’s heavy rains and strong winds have remained over the open waters of the Gulf of America and even with the storm center on land east of Houston, the same is true: most of the storm’s punch isn’t on land.

While most of the storm’s impacts are over water, there are some scattered thunderstorms and heavier downpours impacting parts of south coastal Texas, especially around Victoria to Corpus Christi. While Tropical Storm Warnings remain up for portions of the Texas coast, sustained tropical storm force winds are not expected.

As of the last advisory from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Bertha was located about 35 miles north of Galveston and had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph; the minimum central pressure was up to 1006 mb or 29.71″. The NHC has discontinued the Tropical Storm Warning that was up east of the Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, but the Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect west of there to Sargent, Texas. A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.

Bertha is moving toward the west-northwest near 13 mph and this motion with some increase in forward speed is expected during the next day or so. On the forecast track, the center of Bertha will move across portions of eastern Texas during the next several hours.  Bertha is expected to gradually weaken, and it is forecast to dissipate tonight or on Friday.

Water levels may remain elevated through the next high tide cycle along the Louisiana and Texas coastline but should subside thereafter. There is no prolonged threat of storm surge from the storm.

Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of  1-3″ with isolated totals to 4″ into tonight along the Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas. This rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas. No widespread flooding is expected, especially with heavier precipitation over the Gulf.

Swells generated by Bertha will continue to affect the Louisiana and Texas coast through tonight. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Even experienced surfers and swimmers should avoid the surf until the Gulf calms as the storm departs.