Tropical Storm Bertha Makes Landfall with Limited Damage
Tropical Storm Bertha, the second named storm of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, has made landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. The storm is bringing up to four feet of storm surge and sustained winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) to Gulf communities. Forecasters, including the National Hurricane Center, do not expect Bertha to strengthen into a hurricane due to strong wind shear from the northeast. However, unusually warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic, fueled by global warming, are increasing the potential for stronger storms this season. Despite predictions of fewer storms overall due to a strong El Niño, experts caution against underestimating the season's potential severity. 
