Current Snapshot

The Pacific Disaster Center’s (PDC Global) Tuesday, July 21, 2026, Tropical Cyclone Activity Report…for the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of America

Current Tropical Cyclones:

Tropical Cyclone 02L (Bertha)…is located 90 miles southwest of Panama City, Florida

Atlantic Ocean: There are no active tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.

Caribbean Sea: There are no active tropical cyclones

Tropical cyclone formation is not expected during the next 7 days.

Gulf of America: 

Tropical Cyclone 02L (Bertha)

BERTHA BEGINNING TO TURN WESTWARD…TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS SPREADING OVER PORTIONS OF THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA

According to the NHC Advisory number 9A

Bertha is moving toward the north-northwest near 3 mph (6 km/h) but is expected to turn toward the west-northwest and west later today and tonight. Then, a continued westward motion is forecast through the middle of the week. On the forecast track, Bertha will move near or along the northern Gulf Coast during the next several days. Data from the Air Force Hurricane Hunters indicate that maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph (95 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is expected today, followed by gradual weakening through the middle of this week. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles (150 km) from the center. NOAA buoy 42039 south-southeast of Pensacola recently reported sustained winds of 49 mph (79 km/h) and a gust of 54 mph (86 km/h). The estimated minimum central pressure based on aircraft data is 995 mb (29.39 inches).

HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND

WIND: Tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area along the northern Gulf coast by late today into Wednesday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area in Louisiana by Wednesday.

STORM SURGE: The combination of storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the immediate coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline. The water could reach the following heights above ground somewhere in the indicated areas if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide…

Mouth of the Mississippi River, LA to MS/AL Border…2-4 ft Indian Pass, FL to Aucilla River, FL…1-3 ft MS/AL Border to AL/FL Border…1-3 ft Lake Pontchartrain…1-3 ft Vermilion/Cameron Parish Line, LA to Mouth of the Mississippi River, LA…1-3 ft

The deepest water will occur along the immediate coast. Surge-related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances.

RAINFALL: Bertha is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches with isolated higher totals around 6 inches through Thursday along the central Gulf Coast from western Florida into southern Louisiana. This rainfall may produce isolated flash flooding, especially in urban areas.

SURF: Swells generated by Bertha are affecting portions of Florida and will spread westward along the northern Gulf Coast during the week. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.