The five-day forecast track from the National Hurricane Center at 5 p.m. July 5, shows Tropical Storm Bertha about 1015 miles west of the Cape Verde Islands.
PINELLAS COUNTY – The latest forecast from the National Weather Center says that Tropical Storm Bertha could strengthen into the first hurricane of the 2008 season as early as Tuesday afternoon.
Bertha formed July 3 in the far eastern Atlantic near the Cape Verde Islands and has been moving west-northwest over open tropical Atlantic waters. The storm is forecast to continue moving westward and then northwestward over the next several days.
While some long-range tracking maps and computer models show the storm could be headed toward Florida or other parts of the eastern U.S. coast, NHC meteorologist said Saturday that it is still too early to tell if Bertha will ever pose a threat to any land areas.
Emergency officials urge residents to stay in tune with local forecasts and stay prepared throughout hurricane season. For more information on hurricane preparedness, visit TBNweekly.com’s Hurricane Guide.
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