Tropical Storm Bertha spreads across northwestern Florida

Tropical Storm Bertha is spreading across northwestern Florida, prompting concerns of coastal flooding and heavy rainfall, according to the National Hurricane Center.

The storm, the second named storm of the Atlantic season, was located about 90 miles southwest of Panama City, Florida. It carries maximum sustained winds of 60 mph and is currently moving westward. Forecasters anticipate Bertha will begin to weaken by Wednesday.

Tropical storm warnings and watches are in effect for parts of Florida and Louisiana. The National Hurricane Center advised that "Tropical storm conditions will continue spreading across portions of the warning area later today through Wednesday." A combination of storm surge and tides is expected to cause flooding in areas near the immediate coast.

Bertha is projected to produce 2 to 4 inches of rainfall across western Florida and southern Louisiana through Thursday, with isolated totals potentially reaching 6 inches. This rainfall could lead to flash flooding, particularly in urban areas. Despite the current storm activity, officials are forecasting a below-normal Atlantic hurricane season, which runs until November 30, due to the return of El Niño conditions that typically suppress storm development in the Atlantic basin.

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Tropical storm conditions will continue spreading across portions of the warning area later today through Wednesday.