Tropical Storm Bertha is now targeting Texas July 23 after making its first landfall in Louisiana July 22.
Tropical storm conditions are spreading as residents along the Texas Gulf Coast and South Texas prepare for 2-4 inches of rain and isolated amounts up to 6 inches, according to the National Hurricane Center.
➤ Live updates: Tropical Storm Bertha batters Texas, Louisiana
Bertha is expected to remain a tropical storm when it makes landfall in Texas later today.
Elsewhere in the tropics, forecasters are watching three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin.
Shop Amazon for hurricane prep
➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location
Here’s what you should know about what’s happening in the tropics.
When is hurricane season in Florida?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
Ninety-seven percent of tropical cyclone activity occurs during this time period, NOAA said.
➤ Hurricane Center testing new cone: What’s changing this season?
The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, as the Gulf of Mexico is now known in the U.S. per an order from President Trump. NOAA and the National Hurricane Center are now using Gulf of America on its maps and in its advisories.
Countdown clock to end of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season
Tropical Storm Bertha updates from National Hurricane Center
Special note on the NHC cone: The forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm could travel outside the cone. In 2026, the Hurricane Center is experimenting with a new cone to include 90% of forecast track possibilities instead of the previous 67% forecast error.
➤ Track Tropical Storm Bertha
Storm tracker. See spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Bertha
➤ Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Bertha
Special note about spaghetti models: Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts.
When will Tropical Storm Bertha make landfall in Texas?
On the forecast track, the center of Bertha will move near or along the Louisiana and upper Texas coasts through this afternoon, and then move farther inland over Texas this evening and tonight, according to the 8 a.m. July 23 advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
Bertha made its first landfall July 22 near the Biloxi Wildlife Management Area in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana. Maximum sustained winds were estimated at 45 mph, with higher gusts, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Is Tropical Storm Bertha done with Florida? ‘Stay out of the water’
As Tropical Storm Bertha continues to move west toward Texas, the “main effects” are now well away from Florida, according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
Winds will continue to gradually relax through the day in the wake of Bertha, but expect 7- to 9-foot seas in the Gulf at least through mid-morning July 23.
➤ Live updates: Multiple states feel Tropical Storm Bertha impacts
Coastal flood advisories and high surf warnings remain in effect for portions of Florida’s western Panhandle due to “dangerously large breaking waves in the surf zone.” A high rip current risk continues through late tonight.
“Breaking waves can sweep people off jetties and docks, and into dangerous seas. Everyone should remain out of the water. Life-threatening swimming conditions and significant beach erosion can be expected,” according to the National Weather Service Mobile.
National Hurricane Center tracking 3 tropical waves
The National Hurricane Center is watching three tropical waves in the Atlantic basin, as of 8 a.m. July 23:
What is a tropical wave?
“Tropical waves are clusters of showers and thunderstorms that act as the seedlings for many tropical storms throughout the Atlantic season,” said Alex DaSilva, AccuWeather lead hurricane expert, via email.
“There are about 60 tropical waves that move across the Atlantic each year, and roughly 10 percent to 15 percent of them develop into a tropical system. That’s about one in seven.
“Tropical waves are important because they contribute to about 80 percent of all major hurricanes.”
A major hurricane is a storm that is a Category 3 or stronger, with maximum sustained winds of at least 111 mph.
How many tropical storms, hurricanes are in a typical season?
The 30-year average, from 1991 to 2020, is for 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes.
Florida weather radar for July 23, 2026
Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
What are names for 2026 Atlantic hurricane season?
Here are the names for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and how to pronounce them:
Interactive map: See how many hurricanes, tropical storms have passed near your home
Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text
What’s next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage to bring you the most current information you need to protect your home and family.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Tropical Storm Bertha targets Texas. What else is in the tropics?
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
