Tropical Storm Bertha Forms

Bertha has officially become the second named storm of the 2014 Atlantic Hurricane Season, but Tampa Bay area folks shouldn’t have to worry too much about her.

The storm “should stay far enough east for limited impacts,” said Andrew McKaughan of the National Weather Service’s Ruskin office. Surfers on Florida’s east coast, however, might notice some higher waves though, he added.

As of Friday morning, Bertha was located southeast of Cuba and is moving west-northwest at 20 mph. The storm has maximum sustained winds of 45 mph, the National Hurricane Center reported. If she follows her current projected track, Bertha will pass by Florida’s east coast early next week.

While Bertha shouldn’t be much of a concern for the Bay area, McKaughan said the area is in for a wet weekend with rain chances a bit higher than normal through Monday.

For more information on Bertha, visit the National Hurricane Center online.