Bertha, the First Hurricane of 2008

Written By: Brian Neudorff

Last week on Thursday, the second named storm of the season formed off the coast of Africa named Bertha. As Bertha moved west it encounters better atmospheric conditions and warmer sea surface temperatures, and was able to strengthen and become the first hurricane of the 2008 Atlantic hurricane season.

With sustained winds around 75 mph Bertha is a category 1 hurricane on the Saffir Simpson scale and could reach category 2 strength (Winds 96-110 mph) later on today.

As of now, because it is still out in the middle of the Atlantic, Bertha is having no impact on land. The current forecast has Bertha making a curve to the north-northwest and looks like it could impact Bermuda in the coming days.

For more information:

• National Hurricane Center
• NHC Forecast Discussion on Bertha
• NHC Public Advisory on Bertha
• Bertha's forecasted model track
  

Maps:

Hurricane Wind Speed Probability

50-knot Wind Speed Probability

Trop Storm Wind Speed Probability

Maximum Wind Speed Probability

Warnings and 3-Day Cone

Warnings and 5-Day Cone

Experimental Warnings and Surface Wind

Mariner's 1-2-3 Rule

Wind History